Class 




Copyright N^^ / ^ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



Society in Washington. 



ITS NOTED MEN, AWOMPEISHED WOMEN, 

ESTABLISHED CUSTOMS, 



IsTOT^BXjE E^E^sTTS. 



By RANDOLPH KEIM. 



■ AUG 3 1887' )^ 

Washington, D. C. 

J-RINTKO HV TIIK HAKRISBURC. ( PA. -) .'UBLlSHINr. COMPANY. 






Copyright 1887, by DeB. Randolph Keim. 



CONTENTS. 



CllAl'TER I. 



ruKfis. 



Tlic National Capital and its Social Life, 1-2 

A KfHox of Naiimial Life — 'IVcliiiical ("imti'iitioiis over ('onstiUitional 
Alistractions — A Political Ajii'ncy — The Xcvv Kegimo — Wastiin^toti 
the ( !ii>ital of a Nation — An Enil)0(|inieut of its Political ami Social 
Life — Prospective Magniticeuce. 

Chapter II. 

The President, 3-9 

An Elective Sovereign by Divine Right of the People — His Pre-emi- 
nence among Hnlers — Powers, Prerogatives and Titles — Grover 
Clevelanii the Man of Destiny— The Official Household of the Presi- 
dent — Private Secretary Lamont— Mr. Priidcn— Col. Wilson— Lieut. 
Duval. 

Chapter III. 

The Wife of the President, 10-18 

The First I..ady of the Land — Her Social Prerogatives and Pre-emi- 
nence — The Wedding at tiie White House — Mrs. Cleveland — Her 
'i'riumphs as Presiding Ladj' — Ceremonial and Social Atlairs — Do- 
mestic Life at the Executive Mansion — White House Guests — Miss 
Cleveland — Mrs. Hoyt — .Mrs. Folsom— Oak View — Mrs. Lamont. 

Chapter IV. 

Founding a Social Republic '9-25 

.\n.\ii'ty of presi<lent Washington to Properly Inaugurate the Official 
anil Social .Autononiyof thctiovcrnment — The People I'nai-customed 
to the Conventionalities of Ceremonial Intercourse — The First Presi- 
dent Propounds Certain Queries on Propriety and Etiquette — John 
Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Invited 
to Respond — Their Views — The Adoption of a System of Official and 
Social f;tii|uelte— Presiilent Jefferson Formulates a Communistic 
Code of Manners— Return to the Old System— Wa.shington Ollicial 
and Social Usages the Growth of a Century. 

Chapter V. 

American Precedency and 'i'itles, 26-35 

AScah- of Prei-edcnce Necessary to the Harmony of Oftirjid .tlKl Social 
Intercourse— The Theory of Precedency— Rank I'V .\ulhority of the 
Constitution — Slalutory Rank Siihordinate — Common Law o( I'nic- 
denc(! among .Men ami Women— Some of the Recent Controver>ics 
at WashiuL'loti <in (^ue-stions of Precedence- CoTi-^tilutional Titles— 
'I'he Contest in the Fir-t Congress over llii- Title of till' President 
Settles all tlie Rest— Titles of ( »tficial Rank— Titles l.y U.sage for 
Women in Official Society— Their I'sc Optional. 



IV SOCIKTV IN \VASII1N(;TC)N. 

CHAITKR VI. 

The Cabinet, 35-47 

Tlie Ailministi-Htion— Till- Oi-flor nf Prccodciii'V of the f'ulpitK't in the 
Ortieial Scsilc— Tlif I'iciiiiii— SccR-tiiiv llMVaid — 'I'he Bayard Kaiiiily 
— His Koreijin IVilii-y — Tlic New Sci-rctaVy "f the 'I'lcasury— Mr. 
Kairr'hild — Mrs. Kairi'liild — E.x -Secretary and Mrs. Manning;— .Secre- 
tary and Mrs. Kndicdtt— Attorney (i nil (iarland— I'ostniaster (ieii- 

eral and Mrs. Vilas— Sei'retary and Mrs. Whitney —Secretary ami 
Mrs. Lamar. 

Chai'ter VII. 

The Diplomatic Corp.s, 4S-56 

The |)iplotnatie ('ir(de— Its Personnel— Rules of Precedence, Cere- 
. inony and Etiquette- The Dean of the Corps— The Ceremonial 
Fnnetions E.xercised by Courtesy liy the Dean — Mnie. and M'll«> 
Preston — Viscount and Viscountess d'e Nogueiras — Baron de Fava— 
Mr. Melsbroei'k — Count and ('ountess d'Arschot— Sir Lionel West — 
The Misses West — Mr. and Mrs. Edwardes— Senorand Senora Romero 
— .Mr. and Madame de Striive— Baron and Baroness Rosen— Mr. 
Greger — Mr. Roustan— Count .Sala. 

Chapter VIII. 

The Diplomatic Corps — Continued, 57-67 

Colonel Frey- Mr., Mrs. and Miss Carter — Mr. De Weckherlin- Senor 
Flores— Mr. \'on Alvenslehen, Baron Zedtwitz and Mr. .lenisch— 
Senor Beeerra — Mr. ami Mrs. Kuki and Secretary Akabane — Senor 
Penilta — Mr. and Mrs. de Reuterskiold — Senor (^uesada^Baron and 
Baroness D'ltajuba — Senor Muruaga — Chang Yen Hoon and liis Ori- 
ental .suite — Doctor Corral — Don Domingo and .Senora de (iana — 
Mavroyeni liey — Chevalier Von Tavera— Senor OUivarria- Mr. de 
Lovenorn— The Representatives of Sal vador, Uruguay and G iiatemala. 

Chapter IX. 
Diplomacy and Etiquette, 68-75 

The Rule of Intercourse established — Early Ministers — Jeffer.son's 
Lack of Manners — Proposed Legislation to Punish the Abuse of Di- 
plomatic Privileges — A Social Incident — President Monroe Fixes the 
Social Relations of Foreign Ministers at the Executive Mansion— 
A Revolt in the Cabinet — The President's Daughter Retaliates for an 
Assumed Slight — Relations Better I'nderstood— The Place of the De- 
partment^of .State — Present Rules of Ceremonial and Social Inter- 
course—Necessity of an Officer of Ceremonies — Secretary Evarts' 
Plan for Diplomatic and Official Entertainments. 

Chapter X. 

The Vice-President, 76-78 

The Heir Presumptive to the Presidency— The Senate Asserts the 
IMgnityofthoO nice —Second in the Scale of Precedence— The Title— 
The Late \'ice-I'resident — Claims to Social Pre-eminence of the Wife 
of the Vice-President Ignored — A Social Anomaly. 

Chapter XI. 

The President of the Senate Pro Tempore, 79-8i 

His Place in tli<> Scale of Dignities— Taken out of the Line of Presi- 
dential Su<ccssion — .lohn .lames Ingall.s — His Participation in the 
Anti-Slavery struggles in Kansas— His career Leading to the U. S. 
Senate — As a Senator — Unique in Appearance and Genius — In So- 
ciety—Mrs. Ingallb. 



CONTENTS. V 

ClIAI'TKR \1I. 
Senatorial Precedence, 82-86 

AihImsxuIc. i-s. .ft he. states— ThfirKiinclidtis Within tlic 'llir.i' (iMinii- 
liali' Ui:in<-lws of the (iovoniini'iit — Tlir Si>ii;iti' Ni'Vrr l»ii-s — Tin- 
Scn:iliiii:il Circli' — Statcsiii:in-iliii), l.cui'iiin;;, Ciiltiiro, and Opulclii-c^ 
(iiii'slioiis uf I'ic.M'ilciic'.'— A Jiiiti-t issue— Thi' I'nutici- Sinct — I're- 
i-e(icii(ji- ill the iieiieiai Siii-ial Scale I'l-aetieall y ('oneeiled. 

ClIAI'TKR XIII. 

the Senior Senators and Tlieir Ladies, -^7-94 

A Senatorial Leader of the I,eft— Mrs. Slieniian -The " I'atriareli of 
(•on'.;ress- — Mrs. >Iorrill — Miss Swan— " Tlie Kalher of th.' Senate" — 
Mrs. .md Miss Kihniinds— 'I'lie Senior Senator of thi' Kit;ht— Senator 
and .Mrs. Kansoiii —Senator .Mlisoii — Mrs. F,.\-S<iiator (iritnes — TIk' 
"SilverSenalor"— Mrs. .(oni"s— Senator and Mrs. Uawes— Miss Dawes 
— Senatorand .Mrs. ( oekreil — Senatorand Mrs. Mitchell — ASeiiatorial 
Kelle — Senator and Mrs. Teller. 

ClIAPTKK XIV. 

The Senators and Their Ladies — Continued, 95-101 

Senator Cameron — Senators Voorhees and Heck — Senator I'liinib — .Sen- 
ator l^ntler — Senator Hoar — Senators Moriran, MePherson, Harris, 
Coke, and Hamilton — Senators llawley and Piatt — Senators Hale, 
Krve, .\ldri(di, Sawver, anil HIair — Senators (iornian. Vest, Vance, 
PnV'h, tieorite, and ("all— The Ladies of Their Families. 

ClIArTKK XV. 

Tlic Junior Senators and Their Ladies, 102-111 

Senators Evarts, Stanford, Wilson, Cullom, Karwell, Sahin, ]\Iandersoii, 
Palmer, iJolph, Cliaee, Spooner, Boweu, ami the Ladies of Tlieir 
Families — Senator Kiddletjer)jer — Senators Keiina, (iihson, F.nstis, 
Bowen, Colquit, Payne, (j ray, Blackburn, Wilson, Walthall, Jones, 
Berry — Their J.adies. 

Chapter XVL 
The Senators Retired and Elect, 11 2-1 1 7 

The Deparlint; Senators — Tlieir Ladies who have Graced the Social 
World of the Capital — The Incoming Senators — Their Social Sur- 
roiiudings. 

ClIAt»TER XVIL 

The Chief Justice of the United Stales and Justices, 118-124 

The. Third Co-ordinate Branch of the (ioverninent— The Place of the 
Chief .liistict — His Tith — I'he Justices— I'luir L'ank - The Hi^h 
Social Place of the Court Cir<d( — Us Members Open the Ceremonial 
and Social Season at the Cai>ital — Chief Justice and .Mrs. Waite— The 
Justiee^iand the Ladies of 'i'heir I'amilies — .\dhcrence loUld Forms. 

Chaptkr XVIIL 

The Speaker . . 125-129 

KecoKnize.l by tin- Constitution— The Temire of His Ottici — The 
Symbol of His Authority— The Fasces— The Power of the Speaker— 
His Place ill till' Scale"r.f 1 )ii;tiities -Title— Cereiiioiital and Social 
Kelations — lohn (Jrilliu Carlisle — Mrs. Carlisle. 



VI SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Chapter XIX, 

The Representatives, 129-134 

The ()tH(M;il ami Social Cin-le of the Popular Branch of Congress — The 
Constitutional Powers anil I'reeedence of its Members — The New 
England Representatives — Their Ladies. 

Chapter XX. 
The Middle States Representatives, 135-145 

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and I)e!aware, in f'ongress— 
Their Latlies in the Social Circle of tlie People's Hranch — A (iroup of 
the Heauty, Wit, and Fashion of the Most Populous and Wealthy 
Section of tlie Union. 

Chapter XXI. 
The Western and Pacific Representatives, .,.•■• 145-152 

The Men and Woman who Built up a Western Empire — Typical of the 
Spirit of American Institutions — The Representatives from Ohio, In- 
diana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Ne- 
braska, Colorado, California, Nevada, and Oregon — Their Ladies. 

Chapter XXII. 

The Southern Representatives, 153-162 

A New Generation in the Congressional and Social Life of the Capital — 
The Representatives, and Their Ladies, of Maryland, Virginia, North • 
Carolina, South Carolina, (Tcorgia, Florida, AlaViama, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, and 
West Virginia — The Territorial Delegates — Their Ladies. 

Chapter XXIII. 

The Army in Society, 162-179 

An Epitome of Martial Valor and Fashion— The Lieutenant General 
and his Military Family — Their Ladies— The Officers of the Statf 
Departments and Ladies — The Garrison of Washington and its Social 
Lite. 

Chapter XXIV. 
The Navy in Society 179-187 

The Naval Circle — Admiral and Mrs. Porter — The Vice Admiral -The 
Active Rear Admirals— Officers of the Administrative Bureaus and 
Their Ladies-The .Judge Advocate General — Professor Newconib 
and Assistants and Their Ladies — The Officers of the Hydrographic 
Office, Steel Inspection, Naval Observatory, Navy Yard, and on 
Special Duty— Their Ladies. 

Chapter XXV. 

The Marines in Society, 188-191 

"Mond.ivs" at the Barracks— Fashion, Music and Parade — The In- 
spection " Hop "— Soiiilv Siirht Sccin'j -The Imiwinii-Uoonis of the 
Wife of the Colonel Coliilnalidaiit— Colonel I\l<-C:iwlcy— The Stall- 
Major Houston — Cajitain Pope — Thi^ Junior Oflieers-The Ladies of 
the Garrison. 

Chapter XXVI. 
Retired Officers of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, 192- 19S 

Heroes on T^and and Sea — The Veterans of Three Wars in the Peaceful 
Walks of Social Life — A Distinguished Gathering of Brave Men and 
Accomplished Women. 



CONTKNTS. VI i 

Chapter XXVII. 
In the Statutory Rank of Official Precedence 199-207 

Tlic .Iii(lj;fs of the ('(nut of flainis and Tlu'ir I^adios — The Sofidarv 
(if thf Sciiati — Tlif Clfik ol-tli.' House of HcprcMMitativcs— TIm' 
Assistant S.-cri'taiics of Kxt'i-iitivi' lieparttnoiits— 'I'lic ( I.mU of llie 
Siipri'iiif Court i>f the I'liiti'd Stati's-'I'licir Social SiirrouiidiiiKs. 

CllAI'TKR XXVIII. 

'llie Washinj^ton Correspondents, 208-216 

Who the V arc — The Ladicsof Tlicir Families — Tlicir l'Ia<'(.* in .Society — 
'I'lie City I'ress. 

Chapter XXIX. 
I'noflkial Society, 217 

Its IinTcasiiiK Inflticiicc and Importance — Iir.awinK the linos — The 
Representative Cliaraiter of Washington Fashionable Life — Its' I'cr- 
.•^onnel to be Considered. 

Chapter XXX. 
Some Notable Social Events, 21S-230 

State Levees, Official Diiiinir, Social r)ra\vini;-rvooms, and T.iinclicoiis 
lit the Executive .Mansion — The Banquet to the (^iiecn of Hawaii — 
Cabinet Entertainments — Tlie Christening of l)orotliy I'ayiK' Whit- 
ney — Diplomatic Halls — Congressional (iayeties — .\rmy and Navy 
Germans -Club Keeeptious— Fasliionable liiversions. 

Chapter XXXI. 
The Kirmes, 231-240 

The Elite of Fashionable Life at the Capital Witnes.i tlie Dance of 
Nations — Three Hundred Dancers in Costume — A Gorgeous Spee- 
tacle. 



SOCIETY I.\ W'ASHLXGTOX. 



CHAPTER I. 

The National Capitai, and Its Social Life. 

a reflex of national life — technical contentions over constitu- 
tional abstractions — a political agency— the new regime — 
washington the capital of a nation — an embodiment of its 
political and social life— prospective magnificence. 

irT-X /"ASHIN'OTOX is becoming each year more and more an epitome of 

I Y Y' the social life of the Republic. 

c-'— -^ The fashionable life of the capital of a nation may be said to be a 
reflex of the polite society of the nation itself. The society of London, 
whether of the court or gentry, is an embodiment of the higher life of the 
kingdom. The gay life of the French capital, whether we go back to the 
luxurious court of the old regime or to the days of military ascendancy under 
the great Napoleon or follow it down through the mutations of imperial and 
republican forms, presents a mirror of the social life of tlie French people. 
The precedence of military over civil rank in Berlin pervades the entire social 
yfabricoflhe Empire. The Austrian capital reflects the social phases of the 
Teutonic and Sclavic races of Southeastern Europe. Russian imperialism, 
thawing its inspiration from the traditions of the Kremlin, and transplanted 
upon the banks of the Neva, exalted the court and nobility into an attitude of 
social pre-eminence felt throughout llie vast length and breadth of that Empire 
of European and Asiatic peoples and reared a superstructure of social life 
among the governing classes, based upon the foundatio'-s of autocratic power 
subservient to and part of the sovereign will. 

In adjusting the authority of the government cf the United Slates under 
the Constitution of 17S7 to the cpiasi-sovereignty of the States, thequestion of 
establishing a Federal territory in which the government should have 
supreme control as an inceptive condition to the vigorous and unobstructed 
exercise of the powers of the new Constitution, gave rise to the most acrimo- 
nious discussion on the part of the opponents of a national system. The incon- 
venience of a peripatetic government meeting during the seven years struggle 
for Independence in seven cities and four States to suit the vicissitude^ of 
war jiractically exeiii])]iried llie advantage of a fixed place for the exerci ,e of 
executive and legislative functions. A chss of politicians who kept tlie coun- 
I 



2 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

try in constant turmoil over controversial technicalities upon constructions of 
the Constitution and State lights for a half century, persisted in advocating 
the absurd doctrine that the National Capital was nothing more than a central 
political agency, where Congress might meet upon stated occasions or upon 
the call of the President 10 pass laws, appropriate money, levy taxes, declare 
war, ratify treaties, confirm nominations, and adjourn ; where the President 
and Executive officers and employees, the Supreme Judiciary and Ministers 
of the Diplomatic Corps might live a lif"e of official and social isolation and 
neglect and where residents might pay taxes for the privilege of maintaining 
a municipality of which the National Government was the chief and most 
costly beneficiary. 

The ultimate and incontrovertible vindication of the indubitable supremacy 
of the National over assumed St:te sovereignties, established beyond further 
cavils of so-called statesmen the ascendancy of principles of government 
which recognized in the Capital of the Nation the supreme embodiment of its 
political and social life. The effect of party doctrines and controversies upon 
the National Capital is forcibly illustrated in the slow march of the early decades 
and marvelous progress of recent years. When John Adams took possession 
of the unfinished executive mansion and Congress assembled amid the rubbish 
of the partly built capitol in the autumn of 1800, there lived within the limits 
of the Federal territory 14,000 inhabitants, 4,000 of whom were negroes. 
During a period of sixty years— 1800-60— there had been an average annual 
increase of but 850 white persons. The Nation meanwhile had grown from 
5,000,000 to 32,000,000 inhabitants. In the next twenty-seven years the 
Nation's Capital, under the liberal and enlightened policy of the new regime 
supported by the cultured and lefined sentiment of the people of the country 
at large, expanded into a city of over a quarter of a million. Its assessed 
wealth, which had increased to bit $41,000,000 in sixty years, rose to $200,- 
000,000 in twenty-five years, one hundred millions representing the value of 
its unrivaled public buildings. There is no hmit to its future growth in pop- 
ulation, wealth and magnificence. To measure the future of the Nation's 
Capital would be to mark out the grand march of progress of the Nation itself. 
To describe its majestic public edifices, its princely private residences, its 
works of art, its institutions of learning, its departments of science, and the 
brilliancy of its oflicial and social life presents a picture of the ascending glory 
and grandeur of the government and people of the American Republic. 



THE PRESIDENT. 



CHAPTER II. 
The President. 

An elective sovereign BV divine right of the people — HIS PRE-EMI- 
NENCE AMONG RULERS — POWERS, PREROGATIVES AND TITLES— GROVER 
CLEVELAND THE MAN OF DESTINY— THE OFFICIAL HOUSEHOLD OF THE 
PRESIDENT — PRIVATE SECRETARY LAMONT— MR. PRUDEN— COL. WILSON 
— LIEUT. DUVALL. 

Wn HE President of the United States is the elective sovereign of a 
M nation of sovereigns. He represents the executive and administrative 
VJ> ' functions of the most advanced government of homogeneous people on 
the face of the globe. Within the limits of the Constitution he wields greater 
authority than the most exalted ruler. His title to his high office founded 
upon the suffrages of his fellow-citizens places him at the apex of the official 
and social superstructure of the Constitution and invests him with all the 
powers, privileges and prerogatives of supreme rank. He is not only the 
civil head of the Nation but is the commander inchief of its Army and Navy 
and of the militia of the several States when called into the actual service of 
the United States. In his name diplomatic relations with foreign countries 
are established and maintained. In him alone is vested the nomination of the 
vast patronage of the executive and judicial branches of the Government em- 
bracing fully ten thousand civil, military and naval officers requiring senatorial 
consent. He has supreme and unquestioned power of appointment of an 
army of over one hundred and fifty thousand civil employees of all grades. 

As an individual he is entitled to the personality and enjoyments of other 
citizens but as the Chief Magistrate exercising the high duties imposed upon 
the Executive under the Constitution he is held in restraint by certain official 
and social conventionalities and precedents coincident with the inauguration 
of the Government, and endorsed and approved by unbroken usage through 
the entire line of his predecessors. 

He never returns a call except the first call of a visiting potentate or mem 
ber of a royal family or the executive authority of a foreign Nation or State. 
He can give State dinners and appropriate State social entertainments, but 
cannot accept an invitation in return. He may extend his patronage to suita- 
ble occasions of public interest or enterprise. He can invite a person of 
suital)le official or social jirominence or a personal friend to dine with him, but 
cannot accept an invitation to dine in return. His presence at the residence 
of a member of his own cabinet to dinner is optional though (xceptional, and 



4 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

as an individual only and never as The President. At the capital as far as 
his freedom of intercourse with persons in official or social life is concerned, 
he is practically a prisoner of the State in the Ionic edifice set apart by statute 
for his occupancy during the period of his official term. Away from the 
capital he may be the guest of a State, municipality or private individual. 

In conversation he is always addressed "Mr. President." In writing 
officially he is always addressed The President. In the foimal salutation 
or superscription of communications from the chiefs of the great Executive 
Departments, the presiding officers or chairmen of committees of Congress or 
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court he is always addressed by his con- 
stitutional title "To The President." In every respect the identity of his 
individuality in private life is lost in the environments of his official character. 
Even in the informal relations of personal friends he is properly ''Mr. Presi- 
dent," and any other form is presumptuous. To members of his own family in 
conversation with others he is "The President." In purely personal commu- 
nications from previously known friends and whose close acquaintance might 
pardon an evasion of the accepted and judicious forms, he is addressed in 
writing by his name simply without prefix or suffix of title. He is neither an 
Honorable nor an Esquire, which are subordinate titles, nor a plain Mr. He 
is id nt Tied by the Constitntion as The President and nothing else. When 
he ceases to be President the title passes to his successor. He is then ad- 
dressed by the title belonging to the highest rank he held in private life. 

The proprieties of rank, seclusion from obtrusive curiosity, the accommo- 
dation of public business, the transaction of the affairs of state, and protection 
against unnecessary and untimely personal visits regardless of the personal 
convenience of The President, or public interests requiring his constant 
and vigilant attention, have sagaciously established the code governing the 
official and social routine of the Executive mansion. 

The salary of The President, which is $50,000, applies simply to his do- 
mestic wants and personal servants. He is entitled by statute '•' to the use 
of the furniture and other effects belonging to the United States and kept m 
the Executive mansion " for his official term. An annual appropriation for 
the care and repair of the mansion supplies all expenditures on account of 
its public uses. A specific appropriation usually at the beginning of each ad- 
ministration, is placed at the disposal of The President for refurnishing the 
building to suit the tastes of the new occupant. 

The twenty-fourth quadrennial shake-up of the political forces of the Union 
brought to tlie chief place of executive authority a man unknown to national 
affiairs. He was the man of destiny in the rehabilitation of a political organ- 
ization, which, after six decades of almost uninterrupted control, was hurled 



THE rRF.SIDF.NT. 5 

from power tlirough ihe arrogance and folly of its leaders, and tlic retro- 
gressive tendencies of its doctrines. With no policy but that of expediency, 
after resorting to intrigue and arms to rend assunder the ligatures of the 
national compact, it audaciously tried to ride back into executive pre-eminence 
upon the negative generalship of McClellan, it attempted to rally upon the 
Bourbonism of Seymour, it planted itself on the fable of the monkey and the 
chestnuts with Greeley, it ran after tlie flesh-pots of anti-bellum issues on 
Tilden, it stultified the record in a last essay on the sectional glory of Gettys- 
burg, through Hancock, with equal misfortune. It triumphed after twenty- 
four years of repudiation by the people, under the leadership of a man whose 
chief strength was his individuality, and his strongest claim that he was not 
identified with the history, traditions, antecedents, nor the politics of his party. 

The transitions of his career were marvelous. An obscure post hamlet, 
Caldwell, of New Jersey, gave him a birth place, a district school and academy 
unknown beyond the limited periphery of a local reputation, gave him a rudi- 
mentary education. Manhood found him in a desperate struggle with the 
waywardness of fortune for a bare living for himself, and a sparse surplus for 
the care and comfort of a dependent mother. The county of Erie made hira 
its sheriff, the muncipality of Buffalo made him its mayor, the Commonwealth 
of New York made him her Governor, and the T'nited States their President, 
In the mutations of time, thirty- three years to tlie sherivalty, eleven years to 
the mayoralty, two years to the gubernatorial seat, and one year to the 
Presidency. 

Dotted along the highway of two centuries are the footprints of six gener- 
ations of his ancestors. Moses Cleveland, an Englishman, planted the seed 
of the stock at Wobun, in the colony of Massachusetts. Aaron, a grandson, 
a minister of the Church of England, in charge of a mission of the Society 
for the propagation of the Gospel, died at the house of Benjamin Franklin, at 
Philadelphia, in 1757. A great grandson Aaron, a hatmaker, of Norwich, 
a member of the Connecticut Legislature, introduced a bill for the abolition of 
slavery and closed his mundane career in 1815, as a Congregational minister, at 
New Haven. William, a great, great grandson, watchmaker and silversmith, 
of Norwich, added a three times great grandson, Richard, to his family in 
1805. Richard Cleveland completed his equipment for the duties of life as a 
graduate of Yale, and tlieoloj^ian of Princeton. Between those two ejiochs he 
met .\nne Neale, of Baltimore, who became his wife in 1829, and the mother 
of Grover Cleveland in 1837. 

Without fame to preceed him, Grover Cleveland came into office with his 
public career before him. The eclat of military renown made Washington, 
Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Pierce, Grant, Hayes, and (iarfield, the choice of 



6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the people. The premiership furnished the culminating civic distinction which 
raised Adams, the elder, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, the younger, 
Van Buren, and Buchanan to the chief place. Political upheavals gave the 
nation Polk, Lincoln, and Cleveland. The Vice Presidency produced that 
quartette of political non-entities, Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, and Arthur. 

Confronted by the worst elements in American politics, Grover Cleveland 
as President, has been a public benefactor. Through the conservatism of his 
policy, and the establishment of confidence in his administration, he has reju- 
venated a political party, which sustains the equipoise of national political sen- 
timent by ignoring the clamor of the political roues who have survived the 
obliteration of the old regime, and by bringing to the front better elements fjr 
the work of the future. His sincerity has been demonstrated in his efforts to 
carry out the pledges of the platform upon which he was chosen, despite 
hypocritical intrigue and opposition. His course has exemplified a statesman 
impelled to action by a conscientious interpretation of right and duty uncir- 
cumscribed by the resolutions of 1798, and the obsolete and exploded heresies 
of a quarter of a century and more ago, and by taking advanced grounds on 
what is called Democratic doctrine, to meet the requirements of public senti- 
ment and administration of the day. 

Turning from public affairs into the official life of the President, his great 
duties make him a man of routine. The supremacy of his rank, the absolute- 
ness of his power, the show of his official and social environments do not 
exempt him from care, anxiety, responsibility and drudgery. His busy life 
is daily the same. At eight o'clock in the morning he is at his mail and 
papers, while awaiting breakfast. After breakfast he is in his office until 
noon, receiving those entitled to see him on official business, or by appoint- 
ment. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, at noon, he meets the members of his 
Cabinet on affairs in their respective departmens, and consults them upon 
general questions of administration. On other secular days, suiting his con- 
venience, in the East Room, he receives persons calling "to pay respects." 
After lunch he returns to the library, where he applies himself to matters of 
legislation submitted for his approval, examination of papers relating to for- 
eign affairs, administration and the higher appointments, or preparing state 
papers issued in his own name. At half past four a drive of an hour or two 
with his wife, or his private secretary, is his sole recreation. After dinner he 
is again in the library where he remains examining papers, or writing per- 
sonal letters, carrying his labors hard up to the hour of midnight, and oftener 
into the hours of the morning. 

In his personal characteristics the President is conspicuously a man of 
strong convictions, indomitable industry, and fearlessness of purpose. He is 



THE PKESIDKNT. 7 

natui-ally affable and disposed to pleasantry among unofficial callers. To- 
wards members of his Cabinet, Senators and Representatives, and officials 
summoned on business he is reserved, but an earnest and attentive listener. 
He is a ready conversationalist when he chooses to be, but his anxiety for 
information causes him to waive that mode of relief from the wearying monot- 
ony of questions of state, politics and patronage. He is much given to going 
into details which others would entrust to subordinates. He reaches his con- 
clusions by the tedious process of personal inquiry. This is the growth of 
professional habit. He has clear ideas upon all questions and is a ready and 
rapid writer. He takes a statesmanlike view of puljlic questions, end is less a 
partisan than the majority of his predecessors. He accomplishes tiie same 
ends by less otiensive methods. His integrity is best illustrated by his reso- 
lute determinatiun to adhere to the pledges of the platform upon which he 
was elected. He does more work in a day than any person undei the govern- 
ment. 

The "Official Household of The President," so known by specific statutory 
enactment as to name and personnel, consists of the Private Secretaries, the 
Steward of the Household, and persons of the unofficial staff of the Execu- 
tive establishment. An army offictr, the engineer in charge of Public Build- 
ings and Grounds, is in charge of the mansion. He also performs such other 
duties as may be requiretl of him by The President upon occasions of official 
or social ceremonials. There are also doorkeepers acting as ushers and to do 
duty during official hours, or on state or social occasions. There is also a 
suitable detail of metropolitans for guarding the approaches and the mansion, 
day and night, against the presence of intruders, or suspicious characters and 
for the protection of the person of The President against intrusion. 

The Private Secretary to the President represents the official personality of 
that high functionary. He has no authority or place of precedence by virtue 
of his office, but as the reflex of that pre-eminent personality, by direction of 
his principal, he is technically as supreme as the President himself. He stands 
between the President and the outer world. He conveys his personal orders, 
directs the clerical duties of the executive office, and relieves him of unneces- 
sary ami i)etly personal details wliich otherwise would break in upon his time 
and attention. 

Private Secretary Daniel Scott Lamont, who performs these delicite inter- 
mediary functions, is tlie son of a country merchant of Cortlandville, the seat 
of justice of Cortland county, in the very center of New York, where he was 
born in 1851. Ilerounded offtheeilucational ])eriodof his life at Union Col- 
lege Soon after, through the precocity of his political skill, he secured the 
post of deputy clerk of the New York A'-scmhly. After tJine yc.irs school- 



6 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON". 

ing in that nursery of state politic^, he became chief clerk of the department of 
Stale of New \'ork, where he added three years more to his stock of training 
in Empire State politics. It was while serving in this position, under John 
Bigelow, that that astute political leader and statesman, Samuel J. Tilden, 
showed his appreciation of the talents of the young Cortland county politician 
by making him Secretary to the State Democratic Executive Committee in 
1875. lie continued in the performance of these duties through the stirring 
National and State campaigns of the next eight years. During all that period 
he was closely associated with Mr. Tilden in the management of state polif ics, 
and possibly to-day more closely represents his methods than any other pei- 
son. With politics he combined journalism, and for some yeirs was manage- 
ing editor, and is still one of the owners of the Albany Argus, the organ of 
the Democratic party in the State. 

When Mr. Cleveland became Governor of New York, he availed himself of 
Mr. Lamont's political experience, l)y tendering him the post of Private Sec- 
retary and also Military Secretary, with the rank of Colonel, by which title he 
is now commonly addressed. When the State Executive of New York be- 
came the National Executive of the United States, he carried his trusted Sec- 
retary up with him by tendering him the same civil position in his official 
household at Washington. 

Since Major Tobias Lear was Private Secretary to President Washington, 
no'one has been more distinctively a part of the official and unofficial life of 
any President than has been Colonel Lamont in the relation of Private Sec- 
retary to President Cleveland. He is nearer to the person of the President 
than any one outside of the immediate family. He has the President's ear at 
all times, and is the only one except Mrs. Cleveland who accompanies him 
in his drives, or attends him in other recreations during moments of leisure 
from official cares. 

This remarkable young man, is short in stature and slight in build, with a 
keen grey eye, and a firmly set mouth overhung by a wiry auburn moustache. 
He tips the bilance at one hundred and thirty jiounds. He unites wilh a 
thorough knowledge of men, quick preceptions, a wonderful memory for 
names and details, and promptness in action. His integrity and loyalty a-e 
the strong points of his character. 

The Assistant Private Secretary O. L. Pruden, has charge of the legisla- 
tive and executive business passing between the President and Congress, 
delivers all " messages of the President in writing" in ceremonial form to the 
Senate or House of Representatives, and issues invitations to guests, official 
and unofficial, at state or social entertainments. He came to Washington in 
1862 as a private in the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, and served two 



THE I'RESinF.NT. 9 

years in the field. In tlie Summer of 1S64 lie assisted in organizing the first 
Regiment of U. S. colored troops' In this work his abilities having attracted 
atttention, he was discharged from the military service to enable him to accept a 
civil appoinlmentin that Department. In 1873116 received a permanent assign- 
ment, by order of President (irant, to one of the important clerkships cf the 
executive office. At the beginning of President Hayes' administration he was 
made Assistant Private Secretary, which place he has held ever since. 

Though not a member of the official Household ofthe President, Colonel John 
M.Wilson, U. S. Engineers, in charge of public buildings and grounds, who has 
custody of the executive mansion, also performs the important ceremonial duty 
of presentation to The President, of guests on public state, or cerinonial occa- 
sions. He entered thearmy from the Military Academy in i860, as alieutenant 
ill the Second U. S. artillery and participated in the Manassas campaign cul- 
minating in the battle of Bull Run. He took part in all the batt'es on the Vir- 
ginia Peninsula in the summer of 1S62, being brevetled captain at Gaines' Mill 
and Majorat Malvern Hill. Later assigned to the corps of engineers he served 
in the Maryland campaign of South Mountain and Antietam and subse<iuently 
superintended the construciion of the defenses of Harper's Ferry, Baltimore, 
Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez. Pie was again distinguished in the cam- 
paign against Mobile, being engaged in the siege and capture of .Spanish Foit, 
for which he wis brevetted Colonel of Volunteers and Lieutenant Colonel U. S. 
A. He also took part in the storming of Blakely and the occupation of Mobile. 

Colonel Wilson is one of the most accomplished officers in the army. 
Whether serving with his battery, or doing engineer duty in the field, his ser- 
vices were always of the highest order. As the officer of ceremonies he 
handles the throng of statesmen, officials, jurists, and military and ncval offi- 
cers, and their ladies, and the people who crowd into the Lxecutive Mansion 
during the President's receptions, with remarkable skill, celerity and courtli- 
ness of manner. He has presented as many as fifteen hundred to two thous- 
and persons to the President by name in a single hour. 

In these ceremonial duties Colonel Wilson is assisted by First Lieutenant 
William P. Duvall, Fifth U. S. artillery, who makes the presentations to Mrs. 
Cleveland. Lieutenant Duvall, who is of a Maryland family, has a fine, sol- 
dierly bearing and address. He entered the army from the military acad- 
emy in 1869, and after two years service with his regiment, at Fort Adams, 
Newport, R. I., took a higher course of artillery at the U. S. Artillery School 
Fortress Monroe, Va. He was on duty as Instructor of Mathematics at the 
U. S. Military .\cademy, at West Point, for seven years, serveil with his r.-g- 
iment at McPherson Barracks, Atlanta, Ga., was assigned to the Pennsylva- 
nia Military Academy, as Military Instructor, and since has been on duty in 
the Adjutant Cieneral's office, Washington. 



SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CH.VPTER III. 

The Wife of the President. 

The first lady of the land— her social prerogatives and pre 

EMINENCE-THE WEDDING AT THE WHITE HOUSE-MRS CLEVEIAND- 

HER triumphs as PRESIDING LADY-CEREMONIAL AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS 

-DOMESTIC LIFE AT THE EXECUTIVE MANSION-WHITE HOUSE GUESTS- 

^ MISS CLEVELAND-MRS. HOYT-MRS. FOLSOM-OAK VIEW-MRS. LaMONT. 

(^ HE wife of The President, or the Presiding Lady of his household, is en- 
% titled to the same prerogatives of rank as the President. She bears 
t>^ the same relations to the social autonomy of the Executive mpns'on 
as the President does to the official superstructure of the Government He 
holds supreme official rank as The President. She occup:es the supreme 
place in the social world as the First Lady of the Land. In this relation she 
never returns a call, although she enjoys socially greater latitude of individual 
freedom than The President. She gives informal social entertainments, to 
which she may invite ladies of suitable rank in official or social life. She holds 
"Drawing Rooms" in her character as Presiding Lady of the mansion, open 
to all, and may hold informal receptions for the gratification of strangers in the 
city. She may set apart an hour during the day or evening for an "At home " 
to personal lady acquaintances and their friends accompanied by gentlemen 
She may give social entertainments to ladies of her acquaintance by invitation 
She can appear as a pii vate lady at a special entertainment of a lady friend and 
may give her patronage to suitable public enterprises of ladies in the interest^ 
of charity. She may with propriety entertain visiting lady guests residing in the 
mansion as part of the fan.ily for the time being of the Executive household. 
She IS properly addressed by her husband's surname. 

The first fashionable season of the new administration had passed when the 
young and beautiful daughter of Oscar Folsom, of Buffalo, the friend and bus 
mess associate of Grover Cleveland, on the second day of June, i8S6 in the 
Executive Mansion, became the bride of the twenty-second President of the 
United States. She was but twenty-two years of age, and the youngest of 
the entire line of her predecessors to preside over the households of the Presi- 
dents as wife. That honor was previously enjoyed by Julia Gardiner, of New 
\ ork, who was twenty-three when she became the second wife of Presiden t John 
Tyler. A honeymoon amid the picturesque crests of the Alleghenies, a weddin- 
reception at the White House, and a solstice holiday jaunt in the cool altitudes 
of the Ad.rondacks occupied the next three months. Returr.ing to the capi- 
tal the President again buried himself in the perplexing cares of government 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. II 

while the bride-wife, duly installed as the queen of the social realm, arranged 
the intricate details of the State and social entertainments which were to char- 
acterize the first season at the Executive Mansion under her regime. 

As a maiden, Frances Folsom Cleveland had had no experience in the con- 
ventionalities and duties of ordinary social life beyond that of any other 
young unmarried lady not long out of her teens. The past season was there- 
fore not only her debut in the social sphere as wife, but in the more exact- 
ing place of First Lady of the Land. It was for her a brilliant triumph. The 
youthful innocence and ardor of her life, her beauty of form and features, the 
simple elegance of her toilets, her heroic persistence in standing at her post 
even after the conventional limits of her Drawing Rooms had expired, so that 
none .should be disajipointed, the unaffected sunshine of her manner towards 
her personal friends, her queenly grace and gentleness during the rigorous 
ettiquete of State cccasions, carried fashionable life by storm. The social 
environments of no President have ever been more attractive, and at the same 
time mindful of the proprieties of the place. 'His young wife has added vastly 
to the popularity of his administration among all clashes of tjfficial and social 
life, and strangers at the capital. 

In the beginning of the season, when the programme of social entertain- 
ments at the Executive Mansion was under consideration, it was found neces- 
sary to draw the line somewhere in order to avoid the jealousies and intrigues 
which had made some former seasons very unsatisfactory. With the approba- 
tion of the President, it was arranged that the receiving party with Mrs. 
Cleveland at the receptions of the President should be limited to tiie ladies of 
the Cal)inet, and the lady guests of the President's household. Tiie receiving 
])arty with Mrs. Cleveland at her drawing rooms were restricted to the ladies 
of the Cabinet and their daughters, and the wives of the President pro tern. 
cf the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. State dm- 
ners, embracing the Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Supreme Court, 
included outside of those circles two or three Senators and Representatives of 
appropriate committees of Congress, the General of the Army, the senior chief 
of the Naval iJureaus and guests from outside of the city, the ofticial position 
and not the individual determinmg the question of recognition in state enter- 
tainments. The guests at the elegant luncheons given by Mrs. Cleveland to 
her lady friends were invited in the same way. 

Another source ot great popularity was the informal receptions given by 
Mrs. Cleveland at noon on certam days for an hour to strangers in the city. 
This was an innovation upon the customs of former social regimes which cap- 
tured the transient jjublic traveling for pleasure, and sent many strangers in 
the city back to their homes to enthusiastically circulate the praises of the 



^2 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

young, l.eautiful and winning wife of ,he President. From a social sta-d 
point the administration after the first gay season would be voJed another term 
by an overwhelming majority. 

The informal and responsive manner in which Mrs Cleveland always re 
ceived her guests, invariably made a lasting impression upon those who en- 
joyed a glance of her laughing eye, her winning smile, and half-way advanc 
ing greeting. The geniality of the ensemble of her mode of welcoming her 
guests, won for it the playful characterization of "The Mrs. Cleveland Shake ' 
It was original, graceful, cordial and captivating. Each guest durin- recep- 
tions entermg from the Red Room into the audience parlor was m'^et by a 
quick glance, a half step forward, a cordial extending of the hand, a slight in- 
clinat.on of the body and queenly pose of the head, a word of welcome and a 
receding to original position. 

In her personal intercourse with the outer world, Mrs. Cleveland has con- 
formed her own actions to the rule the President applied to himself, of never 
going out except to the houses of members of the Cabinet, and even making 
that an exception rather than a rule. This at once closed the door to all ieal ■ 
ousies and rivalries which disturbed many former administrations The tact 
and discretion shown in her ceremonial, social, or even informal relations with 
members of official or fashionable life at the entertainments of the Executive 
Mansion, has been remarkable. She is quick and sparkling as a conversa- 
tionahst, and yet preserves that mastery of her words and presence of mind in 
advancing or receiving suitable subjects of conversation, which is a happy 
giftforoneinherplace, where every utterance is weighed and commented 
upon. Those coming in contact with her socially are soon put at ease She 
talks freely and with youthful vivacity, and listens earnestly and with manifest 
mterest to all that is being said lo her. She is ever considerate of the feel- 
mgs and comfort of others. With a finished education, she combines many 
accomplishments, among these a knowledge of French and German which 
she often finds of great convenience, and a strong point of attraction to the 
members of the Diplomatic Corps and their ladies, and foreign visitors on 
occasions of their presence at the Executive Mansion. She is not only a studious 
reader of standard books in her native tongue, but also in French and Ger- 
man. She keeps up with current affairs, literature, politics, and news by the 
reading daily newspapers, the leading American magazines, and illustrated 
IvOndon papers. 

The last of the ladies in the mutations of time and politics to preside over 
the social regime of the household of the President, is one of the most 
remarkable women who has ever filled that exalted place, and is an honor to 
the nobihty and adaptibility of American womanhood of the present genera- 



THK WIFK OK THK PRESIDF.NT, I3 

tion. It speaks well for free institutions and llic daugliters of America, that 
the growth of a single century of practical experiment has jiroduced a woman 
of jiiuth and inexperience who from tiie ordinary walks cf life can be lilted in 
a day to the very' pinnacle of rank, and aciiuit herself as she has done. In 
coni]iosure, dignity, and grace, she stands on an equality with the many cele- 
brated women, trained in the school of official life, and often in the whirl of 
court life at the capitals of foreign nations, ^\ho have filled the sanr.e social 
sphere which she now occui^ies. There can be no fear for a nation when the 
people furnish the (jutens to reign in the social realm of the sovereign power 
under the Constitution. 

The domestic life of the President is simple. He entertains an instinctive 
antagonism towards display and goes through the social round of his station 
from a sense of duty. His habits in his private household conform to the 
painstaking daily routine of his official life. He rises between seven and eight, 
a. m., when he wiles away the time until breakfast with his mail. He eats 
his morning meal in the private dining rcom with Mrs. Cleveland and guests 
of the family at nine, a. m., but leaves as soon as he has finished taking 
about a half an hour and goes at once to his office and begins the work of 
the clay, generally examining papers or writing letters until ten, a. m. He 
then gives two hours and a half, except on Cabinet days, Saturdays and Sun- 
days, to officials. Senators and Representatives, and others by card. Then 
follows a visit to the East Room, except on Cabinet days and Saturdays, to 
receive the assembled callers, usually strangers i i the city, frequently three 
or four hundred persons. Lunch at 1.30, p. m., takes about fifteen minutes. 
He then returns to his office, working with unabated zeal until 4, at which 
hour he takes a drive with his private Secretary, returning in time for dinner 
at 7 p. ni. The dinner ii informal as to dress unless guests are present. 
\Vine is never served except when guests accustomed to its use are at the 
table. The family dinner rarely exceeds an hour in duration. The President, 
who never smokes in his office, and gentlemen guests retire to the corridor 
adjoining the Library up stairs, to enjoy a single cigar. After a few minutes 
conversation with Mrs. Cleveland and guests, he usually returns to the Li- 
brary, giving four or five hours to his work before retiring. Six or seven 
hours sleep is his usual modicum of nature's sweet restorer. 

There is a domestic phase to the President's character, which has Ijecn much 
misunderstood, although illustrated from his earliest boyhood in his loyalty 
to home ties. Though but sixteen years of age when his father died, his con- 
stant thoughts during his early struggles in life were upon the comfort of his 
widowed mother in her home at Holland Patent, and he never failed to con- 
triljute towards her support even from the ineagerness of the rewards of his 



14 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

labor. A library " Donaled in mt-'inory of Mrs. Anne Cleveland by her chil- 
dren," was contriljuted Ijy him in execution of her wish before her death to 
do something as a mirk of appreciation of the kindness of the villagers of 
Holland Patent in her days of grief and despair. 

The official, social, and domestic econoiiiy of the Executive establisiiment 
of tliis mighty cluster of State sovereignties represents three distinct spheres 
of importance and activity. The President manages the administrative affairs 
of the Nation in the suite of apartments for official use in the East end of the 
mansion, on the second floor. A corridor draws the line of demarcatiDn be- 
tween the public and the private portions of the building where Mrs. Cleve- 
land holds sway. The sumptuous parlors and drawing-rooms below repre- 
sent the ceremonial and social life which respond to occasions of State or 
etiquette, in levees, audiences of diplomats, drawing-rooms, jjublic receptions, 
and informal calls of friends. In tlie subterranean seclusion of the domestic 
offices the Steward of the Household, William T. Sinclair, of Buffalo, the Chef 
Constant Perin, the hero of the Cuisines cf the Cafe Rich and Hotel du 
Rhin, Paris, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn clubs, and the Florist, Henry 
Pfister, a graduate of the conservatories of Recheberg, the palace of an opu- 
lent Swiss banker of Zuricli, materialize the elements of happiness in the 
family household, and arrange the triumphs of official dining, and State gath- 
erings. 

The gastronomic economy of the Executive mansion in the diurnal revolu- 
tions of that portion of the earth's surface over which the President of the 
United States presides representing llie three epiclis: Breakfast at 9, a. m., 
luncheon at 1.30, and dinner at 7, p. m., begins the day with a breakfast 
of three dishes, fish, a steak and eggs with coffee; divides the day with a 
luncheon of cold meats and broiled small feathered game in season and makes 
its great achievement at the family dinner — oysters, raw, a soup, fisli, an en- 
tree, perhaps a sweet-bread, a releve, a roast and vegetables, terrapin, an en- 
tremet sucre, perhaps a pudding or a jelly, pastry, ice cream, nuts, fruit, and 
coffee. 

If])eople think that the President is not sociable in his official prison life in 
the White House, they do not know him. He is warm-hearted and compan- 
ionable in his hours of leisure from the routine of his high place. He is fond 
of his friends, and always has a great deal of company. As a bachelor, a 
friend or two at dinner was a regular occurrence, to which he now adds the 
friends of Mrs. Cleveland. The President is also a good liver. His greatest 
fondness is for game in season. 

Among the guests of the Executive Mansion during the past winter were 
Mrs. Mary Cleveland Hoyt, the President's second, and Miss Rose Elizabeth 



THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT. 



15 



Cleveland, his youngest sisters. Mrs. Iloyt — there being but two years difler- 
ence in their ages — slie being the elder, was more associated witli the boy- 
hood of the President than any of the other members of the family. Wlien 
Rev. Richard Cleveland removed to Holland Patent, N. Y., to assume the 
Presbyterian pastorate, of that place in September, 1853, Mary Cleveland was 
to be married the following month to W. E. Hoyt, now cashier of the Fay- 
ctteville Iiank. Grover Cleveland, then a boy of sixteen, one morning started 
in a carriage with his sister to drive to Utica, fifteen miles distant, where she 
wished to make some purchases for her wedding trousseau. While awaiting 
her in her shoppmg he was overcome with sorrow by the announcement on 
the street that his father had died suddenly. The grief-stricken sister and 
brother hastened back to the afflicted household at Holland Patent. Mrs. 
Cleveland died just before the election of her son to the governorship. When 
Grover Cleveland became Governor of New York he invited Mrs. Hoyt to 
preside over his bachelor household. She complied with his request, and 
spent most of her time with him at Albany. She would have come with him 
to Washington wlien he became President, but for the distance between the 
capital and her own home, at I-'ayettevilie. For three weeks immediately after 
his inauguration she remained with him organizing his household. She was 
very popular, and her inability to remain was greatly regretted by those who 
had met her. 

Miss Cleveland also spent some days at the Executive Mansion. During 
the fourteen months of her reign as presiding lady of the domestic household 
of the President before his marriage, she made many friends, and her pres- 
ence was the occasion of a series of appropriate social entertainments at the 
White House and among society people. Her varied intellectual activities 
since she handed over the high social honors she enjoyed to the young wife of 
the President, have kept her from falling back into the great mass of humanity, 
the common fate of those who shine in the reflected light of accidental pre em- 
inence. She is a woman of individuality, force, and restless energy, with a 
radicalism of opinion backed by imbounded courage of utterance. 

The death of her father in 1853, when she was but seven years of age, leav- 
ing her mother in the usual indigence of a rural pastor's widow, drew out in 
her that characteristic of the Cleveland family, a strong sense of filial duty. 
The emergencies which overcame the household aroused her aml)ition. Four 
years cf her life as student and teacher at Houghton Seminary, laily Principal 
at the Collegiate Institute, cf Lafayette, Indiana, and teacher in a private 
school at Lebanon, Pa., gave her the necessary intellectual training for the 
lecture field, which she was about to enter, when the logic of events carried 
her brother into the gubernatorial chair of New York, and a year after into 



1 6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the Chief Magistrate's seat of tlie Republic, and herself to the highest place of 
social prominence at All)any, where she often relieved her elder sister, Mrs. 
Hoyt, and at Washington. Since her retirement from these spheres of official 
and social life, she has made her own personality felt in the walks of literature. 
Out of the harvest of her success she has made the homestead at I loUand Pat- 
ent her own, and though not her birthplace, has surrounded herself and her 
life work with the endearing memories of the last days of her aged mother. 

With Mrs. Cleveland a great source of delight is to give pleasure to others, 
not only to her newly-made acquaintances in Washington, but to friends held 
by the close associations of school days and maidenhood. The President, 
in the midst of his manifold official duties, has been equally thoughtful of those 
who, in the ordinary walks of life in former days, were more closely associated 
with huu in business relations or friendship. 

The presence of such guests was among the happy incidents in the life of 
the Executive household during the past winter. Of these were Mrs. George 
J. Sicard, of Buffalo, wife of the President's former law partner, and Mrs. 
Charles W. Goodyear, wife of one of the President's Buffalo friends and later 
a member of the Cleveland firm. Both ladies were accompanied by their hus- 
bands. At several of the drawing rooms of Mrs. Cleveland at the height of 
the season theseladies, who were guests at the same time, were in the receiv- 
ing party and attracted great attention. The elegance of their toilettes, their 
beauty and grace of manner were themes of pleasant comment in the whirl of 
fashionable life which gathered at the White House on social occasions or in 
the circles of private life. Mrs. Goodyear, a woman of rare symmetry of fig- 
ure, was one of the group of feminine beauties of the season. 

Mrs. Cleveland's personal guests during the winter were Miss Virginia 
Kingsford, an exceedingly charming young lady, daughter of Thomas Kings- 
ford, of Oswego, the great starch manufacturer. She was Mrs. Cleveland's 
class and room mate at Wells College for four years ; Miss Natalie Sternberg, 
of Buffalo, an intimate friend from girlhood; Miss Ida Gregg, also of Buffalo, 
daughter of a prominent physician, another close friend, and Miss Carlton 
Rogers Jewett, a friend from childhood, wife of a well-known physician of 
Buffalo, and daughter of N. Holland, a lumber merchant. 

An interesting feature of the surroundings of the Executive household is the 
social circle in which the mother of Mrs. Cleveland is the central figure. The 
solicitude of the President for the comfort and happiness of this charming lady 
in a home where she might feel independent inspired the purchase and mod- 
ernization of the old farm-house on the Tennallytown road. 

" Oak View," the country seat of the President, occupies a conspicuous 
elevation between two and three miles north-west of the city, and commands 



THE WIFE OK THE I'KESIDENT. 17 

a sweep of vision which embraces tlie picturesque regions of Rock Creek, the 
capita', wi.h glimpses here and there of the bright surface of the Potomac, 
and the hi!ls of Virginia beyond. The changes f.om the old time stone coun- 
try house were radical enough to give the ancient structure quite a striking 
appearance. The eighteen rooms and wide halls within, were also improved. 
A reception room, parlors, library, a study, dining-hall and kitchen occupy 
the first floor, three sleeping apartments with dressing-rooms are on the floor 
above, and four spacious cliambcrs in the attic. 

The household of "Oak View" consists of Mrs. Folsom and her niece, 
May Iluddlcston, and servants. The President and Mrs. Cleveland were 
almost daily visitors, sometimes returning to the White House for dinner, and 
often remaining all night. Mrs. Emma Folsom, whose father was Elisha 
Harman, and mother as a maiden, Ruth Rogers, was born at AVheatland, 
New Vork. She became the bride of Oscar Folsom in 1863, or six years be- 
fore the formation of the law firm of Lanning, Cleveland & Folsom. Mr. 
Folsom was killed by being thrown from a carriage about 1875. Mrs. Fol- 
som is of middle age and remarkably well preserved. She has a smiling 
countenance and intensely bright black eyes. She is not as tall as her daugh- 
ter, but of rounder form. She would not betaken for the mother of Mrs. 
Cleveland as their resemblance is not even remotely striking. 

The social life of "Oak View" has since its occupancy by Mrs. Folsom, 
been confined to ''Drawing Rooms," from il a. m. to I p. m., on Wednes- 
days, upon which occasions large numbers of the oflicial and fashionable cir- 
cles gather there to enjoy social intercourse. The President and Mrs. Cleve- 
land will pass the summer there, he driving into the city in the morning and 
returning in the evening. 

Mrs. Lamont, the wife of the Private Secretary to the President, is an al- 
most daily and always welcome visitor to the Executive Mansion, and is one 
of the most popular ladies in Washington society. She was Julia Kinney, the 
daughter of Orson A. Kinney, a Cortland county farmer. She completed her 
education at the Elmira Female College, and in 1874 became the wife of Daniel 
Lamont, the friend and companion of her childliood and youth, and removed 
to Albany, where her young husband was in the Department of State, a jour- 
nalist, and rising politician of the Tiklcn school. Mrs. Lamont is another 
forcible illustration of the strength and charms of American womanhood. 
She was prominently associated with the social life of the President's house- 
hold during the first and second fashionable seasons after his inauguration. 
She frequently assisted Miss Cleveland at her receptions when Presiding 
lady, and is now the most favored lady friend of Mrs. Cleveland She is 
a person of average height, and very prepossessing. She is a fine convtr- 
2 



15 SOCIETY ]X WASHINGTON. 

sationalist, and is always well-informed on current affairs of official and 
social life. Jler " Drawing Rooms " were among the most largely attended 
and attractive of the season. She dresses in excellent taste. Her two l)eau- 
tiful little flaxen-haired daughters, Julia and Bessie, three and five years of 
age respectively, are great favorites with the President. 

Mrs. Lamont's mother was Julia Greenman, daughter of Homer Green- 
man, of Block Island, off Rhode Island, who early in the century drove with 
all his possessions in a wagon to Cortland county, where he was one of the 
first settlers, and a man of influence and importance. 




FOUNDING A SOCIAL KEPUIiLIC. I9 

CIIAPTKR IV. 
Founding a Social Republic. 

Anxiety of tresident Washington to properly inaugurate the offi- 
cial AND SOCIAL AUTONOMY OF THE GOYERN.MKN T — THi; PEOPLE UNAC- 
CUSTOMED TO THE CONVENriONALITlKS OF CEREMONIAL INTERCOURSE — 
THE FIRST PRESIDENT PROPOUNDS CERTAIN QUERIES ON PROPRIETY AND 
ETIQUETTE — JOHN ADAMS, ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JOHN JAY, AND JAMES 
MADISON INYITED TO RESPOND — THEIR YIEWS — THE ADOPTION OF A SYS- 
TEM OF OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL ETKjUETTE — PRESIDENT JEFFERSON FORM- 
ULATES A COMMUNISTIC CODE OK MANNERS — RETURN TO THE OLD SYS- 
TEM— WASHINGTON OFFICIAL AND SOCIAL USAGES THE GROWTH OF A 
CENTURY. 

?HE social usages of Washington not only had their origin in the incep- 
tive movements of the new order of things at the capital, then New York, 
tj^"^ but were an essential part of the administrative methods necessary to the 
execution of the provisions of the new Constitution and the statutory enactments 
of the first and succeeding Congresses. When General Washington assum- 
ed the reins of government as President in April, 1789, hefound himself more 
embarrassed by the social than by the official (questions involved in the exercise 
of the supreme functions of his office. Ho felt that the eyes not only of his fel- 
low-citizens, but of the civilized world were upon him, and therefore, in 
launching the new ship of State, the elevation oftlie Chief Executive power of 
the nation to a high plane of authority and dignity was to him of paramount 
importance. 

Under such circumstances the position of Washington was one of extreme 
delicacy. The social status of the Presidential office and therefore of the 
whole descending scale of official life was without rule or precedent. The peo- 
ple were unaccustomed to the conventionalities of official station. They were 
without that experience in the common law of higher social proprieties which 
would have greatly relieved the President in the performance of his arduous 
and grave duties. As an instance of the absence of all ceremony in the attain- 
ment of personal ends, it is related by Washington himself that his house was 
thronged day and night with people making calls of etiquette or in pursuit of 
office. The eager crowds lorccd their way into the private apartments of tlie 
President. Even Mrs. Washington's bed chamber was not spared from in- 
trusion. 

These early experiences satisfie<l the Chief Magistrate that without a<lefii-.cil 
system of social and ceremonial forms adjusted to the re(|uirements of official 
rank and duty, it would be practically impossible to go on in the exercise of 



20 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

the functions of government. To increase the embarrassments of his sit- 
uation, Congress was slow in making provisions for the details of adminis- 
tration. For five months he was left without a Cabinet for counsel or aid. 
Fortunately he had a few friends to whom he could turn for advice. Among 
these were John Adams, Vice President of the United States, Alexander 
Hamilton, who had served on his staff as his confidential aide-de-camp in the 
Revolution and who afterwards became his closest counsellor, as Secretary of 
the Treasury ; John Jay, afterwards fir.- 1 Chief Justice of the United States, 
then attlie head of the office of Foreign Affairs, and James Madison, a Rep- 
resentative in Congress. 

One of the earliest acts of the President was the establishment of the social 
environments and prerogatives of his office as the fijundation of the entire 
social superstructure of the government in its relations to the people. In ac- 
complishing this important initial step before he had been in office a month, 
Washington prepared a series of ' • queries " which he submitted for replies to 
Vice President Adams, Secretary Jay, General Hamilton, and Representa ive 
Madison, embracing the following points of inquiry : Whether he should ex- 
clude himself from all kinds of company; whether one day of the week would 
suffice for visits of compliment ; whether it would involve disagreeable con- 
sequences for the President to receive persons on business; whether dinners 
to embrace a small number of official characters, to include in rotation, mem- 
bers of Congress, could be given informally on fixed days without clamor from 
the rest; whether it would satisfy the public for the present, to have four great 
entertainments in the year, on the anniversaries of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the alliance with France, peace with Great Britain, andorganization 
of llie General Government; whether it would be improper for the President 
to make informal visits to acquaintances or public characters for sociability; 
how to distinguish him on such occasions in his private character; in what 
light rare appearances at tea parties might be considered, and whether during 
the recess of Congress he should not make a tour of some part of the country 
so as to study its resources and needs, and meet public characters and the 
people. 

As an explanation of his reasons for his communication, the President 
added that many things which appeared of little consequence in themselves 
might have weight as having been established with t!ie commencement of the 
government, and that it would be much easier to begin with a well-adjusted 
system than to correct errors afterwards. As for himself, he added, "the 
President, in all matters of business and etiquette, can have no object but to 
demean himself, in his public character, in such mannei as to maintain the 
dignity of his office without subjecting himself to the imputation of supercilli- 
ousness or unnecessary reserve." 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL KEPUULIC. , 21 

It is interesting to note the views of the distinguished statesmen named 
upon the fundamentary principles proposed for the regulation of intercourse 
between the d.lTerent branches and otTicials of the government and the people. 
Vice President Adams, thougli a Puritan in some things, through his resi- 
dence at the polished courts of Europe, had acquired a tenacious regard for the 
forms of social intercourse. Ho did not believe in promiscuous association 
with all kinds of company, or in total seclusion. The s)stem proposed by 
the President, he thought, would gradually develop itself in practice. In 
view of strangers from the different States, and foreign countries, visuint, the 
seat of government, he thought two days a week for visits of comp'.iment 
would lie necessary. He favored all personal applications to be first made to 
a Minister of State, but at the same time a personal interview should not be 
rigorously denied in any case worthy of consideration. A gentleman in wait- 
ing should judge whom to exclude and whom to admit wi.hin fixed hours. 
He conceded the propriety of the President inviting to dinner official charac- 
ters, memljers of Congress, strangers or citizens of distinction in small parties 
without formality. He did not believe in the President giving any formal 
public entertainments, which, he thought, should be done by a Minister of 
State, the President honoring the entertainment in his private character. He 
saw no impropriety in the President's making or receiving informal visits, 
but in no c;se should a visit be returned in form unless the sovereign of an- 
other court should visit the capital. The President's private life should be 
at his own discretion. As President he should have no intercourse with soci- 
ety but upon public business, or at his levees. He doubted the expediency 
of public tours about the country. The Vice President favored making the 
President's official household comport with the dignity of the office by the 
appointment of chamberlains, or aides-de-camp, secretaries, masters of cere- 
monies, etc., at the expense of the state. The office, he thought, had no 
equal in the world, except the throne of a crowned head, and its surroun^lings 
should therefore be in keeping. 

In his reply, Hamilton thought that the dignity of the Presidential office 
should be maintained even at the risk of momentary dissatisfaction. He fa- 
vored a levee once a week for receiving visits, the President remaining about 
a half an hour. No visits should be returned. He should accept no invita- 
tions, but should give formal entertainments, as sugge- ted On levee days 
the President or a gentleman of his household. should give informal invitations 
to a dmner of six or eight persons of suitable rank. The heads of depart- 
ments should have access on business .Vmbassadors only, as in Kurope, 
should have personal audience on diplomatic questions. Senators should 
have access on matters of public administration, on the i;round that the peo- 



22 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

pie should feel satisfied that one class had continued intercourse with the Pres- 
ident, which would also be a safeguard against secret combinations. The 
Senate, he claimed, also performed, in connection with the President, certain 
executive functions in matters of treaties and appointments which made them 
his constitutional counselors, and gave them a peculiar claim to the light wliich 
the Representatives did not possess. 

The reply of Hamilton called forth on the same day a peculiarly affection 
ate acknowledgement, in which Washington begged him to accept his unfeign- 
ed thanks, and asked him to give further advice as occasion required, adding: 
"It is my wish to act right. If I err, the head and not the heart shall with 
justice be chargeable." In a letter to Jay submitting his "queries," Wash- 
ington said that he wished " to adopt a line of conduct without too much re- 
serve and too much familiarity. ' To Madison he wrote that he wished "to 
draw a line of conduct to meet approbation and attention to official duties, and 
to avoid the charge of superciliousness." 

The general features of tlie suggestions submitted were gradually incorpo- 
rated into the workings of the government, and laid the foundations of its of- 
ficial and social life, which has been maintained without material deviation, 
except during the administration of President Jefferson, down through the 
full century of years which have elapsed since. The President was recogniz- 
ed as the supreme head of the official and social superstructure of the govern- 
ment. The chiefs of the Executive Departments forming the official suite of 
the President, Vice President, the Chief Justice of the United States, the Sen- 
ators, the Associate Justices, the Speaker and members of the House of Rep- 
resentatives, and all persons holding offices of Presidential appointment and 
senatorial confirmation formed the official society, the officers of the army, 
navy and marine corps added the pageantry of the presidential surroundings, 
while the fashionable residents and strangers in the city, largely made up of 
the distinguished characters and their ladies, who had figured in the events of 
the revolution and the confederation, completed the circle. The levees, 
drawing rooms, and state dinners which were already familiar occurrences, 
were conducted with republican ease and becoming dignity and decorum. 

When the office of Secretary of State was created, five months after Wash- 
ington was inaugurated, and thePrimiership of the first administration was be- 
stowed upon Thomas Jefferson, that prominent figure in the early j)arlia- 
mentary battles for American liberty was in France. He did not arrive 
m New York to take his place at the head of the cabinet until the following 
March. Jefferson had wandered among the courts of Europe in 1784, as a 
member of a peripatetic Diplomatic mission to negotiate commercial treaties, 
and in 1785 finally established himself at Paris as Minister Plenopotentiary of 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL REPUBLIC. 23 

the infant American Republic. Five years residence near the court of the fes- 
tive king Louis, had given the distinguished Virginian ample opportunities to 
garner a rich harvest of experience m the social life and manners of the most 
polite capital in the world. The atmosphere of the French court and people 
was peculiarly inspiring to him. At that time France and the Uuited States 
were gushing with international affection. When Jeflerson was not playing 
the diplomat, the courtier, or the man of letters, he was writing sentimental 
epistles to his friends at home, overflowing with admiration of France and her 
people. When he appeared, therefore, upon the scene in New York, in 
March, 1790, and took his place as the Premier of the administration, he came 
fresh from the scenes of life at Paris. Me took exception to the forms and 
ceremonies which had already been in vogue nearly a year with eminent sat- 
isfaction to all others. The President vindicated the simplicity, convenience 
and proprieties of the forms adopted. When Mrs. Adams inaugurated the 
social regime of the Executive Mansion at Washington, she continued the 
ceremonial forms established by President and Mrs. Washington, at New 
York. But the elevation of Jefferson to the Presidency having given that 
frenchified statesman supreme authority over the regulation of the social sur- 
roundings of the Executive, he proceeded to enforce his own notions of official 
and social etiquette, and began by adopting a formally framed code, a compo- 
site system, a cross l)et\veen the equal political and civil rights enunciations 
of his Declaration of Independence and the barricade etiquette of the French 
commune. He undertook to apply the theory of " all men being created 
equal " and therefore "endowed with certain inalienable rights " to the found- 
ing ol a social state about the official superstructure of the government, re- 
gardless of the customs, usages, and proprieties of good breeding, correct 
principles or authority. The code of etiquette and ceremonies which had been 
successfully launched almost simultaneously with the Constitution was set 
aside. In his social formulary which is endorsed in Jefferson's own hand 
writing "This rough paper contains what was agreed upon" lie prescribed 

I. In order to bring the members of society together in the first instance, 
the custom of the country has established that residents shall pay the first visit 
to strangers, and among strangers first comers to later comers, foreign and 
domestic. 

The character of strangers ceases after the first visit. 

To this rule there is a single exce]Hion. Foreign Ministers, from llio neces- 
sity of making themselves known, ])ay the first visit to Ministers of the nation, 
which IS returi ed. 

- II. When brought together in society all are perfectly eipial, wlieiher for- 
eign or domestic, titled or untitled, in or out of office. 

All other observances are but exemplificaiion.i of these two principles. 



24 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

I. The families of Foreign Ministers arriving at the Seat of Government 
receive the first visit from those of the National Ministers, as from all other 
residents. 

The members of the Legislature and of the JuCiciary, independent of their 
offices, have a right as strangers to receive the first visit. 

II, No title being admitted here, those of foreigners give no precedence. 
Differences of grade among the Diplomatic members give no precedence. 
At public ceremonies, to which the Government invites the presence of 

Foreign Ministers and their families, a convenient place or station will bepio- 
vidcd for them, with any other strangers invited, and the families, of the Na- 
tional Ministers, each taking place as they arrive and without any precedence. 

To maintain the principle of equality qx pch viela, and prevent the growth 
of precedence, out of courtesy, the members of the Executive will practice at 
their own houses and recommend an adherence to the ancient usage of the 
country, of gentlemen en masse giving precedence to the ladies en fuasse, m 
passing from one apartment where they are assembled into another. 

In practice President Jefferson abolished levees but held two receptions a 
year. New Year's and Independence days. Everybody was admitted without 
regard to order of rank or the comfort of the guests, which caused the social 
conditions of the administration to degenerate into mob etiquette. Persons 
were also privileged to call at other times as they pleased. The ladies of the 
administration, disgusted with his performances, tried to restore order, but 
without avail. The President's treatment of their call upon him to expostu- 
late was in itself a piece of unworthy rudeness. The anarchy of the Jefferson • 
ian social commune came to a close with his administration. The old order 
of things was restored by the quaker wife of James Madison as soon as she 
became mistress of the Executive Mansion in her own right. The Washing- 
ton administration socially represented the stately respectability and propri- 
ety of the American continental school. Jefferson's imitated the ultra Jacobin- 
ical ideas of the French Revolution. James Monroe was the last of the Pres- 
idents who wore the short clothes and dress sword of the Continental fathers, 
and for that reason was called "the last of the cocked hats." During the first 
quarter of the century southern influence was dominant in social affairs. 
There was a small admixture of northern society from the administration of 
the younger Adams down to that of Buchanan, but its influence was unimpor- 
tant. 1 he election of Abraham Lincoln inaugurated a new regime. The with- 
drawal of the southern states from the Union left the oflicial and social life 
of the capital, which had been controlled by the south for sixty years, in the 
exclusi\e possession of northern people. It was not, however, until the close 
of the rebellion and the accession of General Grant to the Presidency that the 



FOUNDING A SOCIAL KKI'UIILIC. 25 

society of the capital began to crystalize preparatury to assuming llic nation* 1 
characteristics wliich it to-day so fully exemplifies. The reconstruction of the 
Union brought l)ack by degrees a southern representation in social affairs. 
The liberal improvement and lieautifying of the city added to the attractions of 
its fashionable life. The social world of the capital to-day, instead of being 
sectional in its influence is national. Distinguished men and women of all 
sections of the country mingle in the polite enjoyments of the gay season, and 
make Washington social life not only a most satisfying experience, but does 
more to cement the Union into one perfect and harmonious whole than could 
be attained by any other means. 

The extraordinary expansion of the circles of official life and increase in the 
numbers of persons of wealth, culture and leisure, have necessitated some 
modification of the original rules of social intercourse. Instead of residents 
paying the first visit as when the number of officials was small and the strang- 
ers in the city limited, owing to the inconvenience of old time methods of 
travel, the present rule is for strangers to pay the first visit either in person 
or by card. This is to advise their friends, or those whom they \\ iah to meet, 
of their presence in the city. Residents return the visit in person, or by card, 
within three days if they desire to recognize or keep up^ the acquaintance. 
This rule applies to persons irrespective of rank in official or social life. 
Among strangers the last to arrive makes the first call. After the exchange 
of first calls the character of strangers ceases and future social intercourse is 
regulated by the customary conventionalities or as the parties may arrange 
among themselves to suit the degree of acquaintance or interest. These 
fundarnentary rules apply to foreigners or.Vmericans, and to ladies as well as to 
gentlemen. Within each circle of official or military life there exist certain 
relations of etiquette which are governed, however, by the same fundarnent- 
ary rules as society at large. 



26 SUClIiTV 1\ WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER V, 

American Precedency and Titles. 

a scale of precedence necessary to the harmony of official and 

SOCIAL "intercourse — THE THEORY OF PRECEDENCY — RANK BY AUTHOR- 
ITY OF THE CONSTITUTION — STATUTORY RANK SUKORDINATE— COMMON 
LAW OF PRECEDENCE AMONG MEN AND WOMEN — SOME OF THE RECENT 
CONTROVERSIES AT WASHINGTON ON QUESTIONS OF PRECEDENCE — CONS'II- 
TUTIONAL TITLES— THE CONTEST IN THE FIRST CONGRESS OVER 1 HE TI- 
TLE OF THE PRESIDENT SETTLED ALL THE REST — TITLES OF OFFICIAL 
RANK — TITLES BY USAGE FOR WOMEN IN OFFICIAL SOCIETY — THEIR USE 
OPTIONAL BUT NOT NECESSARY. 

f-iV ■ 
;■; T IS not proposed to enter into a disqu'sition upon the subject of jirece- 
^ dency among the members of the different branches of the government 
(zy of the United States on occasions of official or social intercourse. 
There has been more or less controversy in certain directions growing out of 
this question ever since the foundation of the government, notwithstanding 
the fact that a scale of dignities has been laid down by constitutional and stat- 
utory authority and judicial opinion, and must be conceded as a matter of 
common decency, common politeness, common propriety, common sense, 
good breeding and good society. President Washington recognized an or- 
der of precedence as essential to the exercise of authority, and maintenance of 
discipline and harmony in governmental administration and social affairs as 
were the degrees of rank necessary to the command and manoeuvre of armies 
in campaign or in fighting battles. At a semi-official dmner given to Mrs. 
Washington upon her arrival atNew York, then the seat of government, soon 
after his inauguration, in accordance with the then experimental rules of cer- 
emony adopted, he invited in the order of precedence, the Vice President rep- 
resenting the second office under the Constitution, the heads of Departments 
as part of the Executive, foreign ministers as technically guests of the nation, 
two Senators representing the upper and the Speaker representing the lower 
branches of Congress. 

Those who undertake to ignore or underestimate tlie claims of precedence 
as necessary to harmony in official and social relations simply show their ig- 
norance of certain instinctive discriminations incident to every condition of 
the human race. The savages recognize precedence in the Icadersliip con- 
ceded to the bravest in battle, or most sagacious in counsel, and to the warriors 
in the degrees of their prowess. In the lower order of civilized life, certain 
characteristics of intellect or jihysique are conceded certain degrees of consid- 
eration. At an ordinary social entertainment veneration for seniority of years 



A.MKKICAN I'RKCEUKNCV AND 11 ILKS. 27 

or jire-eminence ofabili.y, experience or service, involuntarily ami instinc- 
tively establishes a rule of precedence for the occasion. Therefore to "ima- 
gine that a scale of precedence is inconsistent with republican institutions 
simply indicates an oblivity to the common instincts of mankind, whether in 
in the savage, civilized or enlightened state. An American scale of precedency 
is pre-eminent as compared with the precedency of monarchial institutions 
as it is not based primarily upon decrees or enactments, but upon a patent of 
precedence granted by authority of the suffrages of the sovereign jieople. 
The enormous growth of the personnel of the government and fashionable life 
at the capital has forced a recognition of some regulation of rank and prece- 
dence among men and women to facilitate public Intsiness and avoid confusion 
and disagreements in state or social entertainments. 

It was in the reign of King Henry VIII that the English Parliament look 
cognizance of precedence and passed an "act for placing the lords." It re- 
lated directly to the great officers of state, but referred incidentally to the 
positions of the nobility in the arrangement of dignities. About two cen- 
turies before, an order of all estates of nobles and gentry of England was 
prepared for the purpose of settling interminable disputes as to rank. 

The scale of precedence sustained by royal ordinances and ancient usages 
in England establishes these fundamental rules: 

First. Men of official rank range according to the precedence of that rank. 

Second. .Vmbassadors yield precedence only to memljers of the royal family 
of the court to which they are accredited and sons and brothers of crowned 
heads. 

Third. Foreign Ministers, under the terms of the treaty of N'lenna, 18 15, 
have no real claims to precedence. 

Fourth. Precedence of rank from official appointment emanates from the 
husband, and is enjoyed by the wife. 

The distribution of the functions of government under the Constitution of 
the United States may be said to be symbolic of the iiersonality of the same 
arrangement of powers under the organic forms of the Government of Great 
Britain. The Constitution is the source of all jiower and precedence in the 
United States. 

The constitutional officers of the United States are those specifically desig- 
nated by name in the Constitution. These are, 

1. The President. — The constitutional chief offic-.r of the first of the three 
coordinate branches of the Government. 

2. The Vice-President. — The constitutional heir presumptive \o the I'resi- 
dency, and the constitutional President ol the Senate, the upper body of Con- 
gress, the second coordinate branch of the Government. 



25 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Tlie President pro tcm. of ih'. Senate'. — The constitut onal presiding officer 
of thnt body when there is a vacancy in tlie Vice- Presidency, and when per- 
forming the duties of the office. 

3. The Chief Justice of the United States. — The constitutional head of the 
Supreme Court of the United States, the highest judicial tribunal of the third 
coordinate branch of the Government. 

4. The Senators. — The constitutional advisers of the President in conferring 
official rank and authority upon individuals who represent Xhe personnel oi \he 
administrative departments of the Executive, and in conferring judicial rank 
upon members of the judicial branches of the Government, and also exercising 
the jDower of ratification of all treaties and questions of diplomatic negotiation 
with foreign nations. 

5. The Speaker. — The constitutional presiding officer of the House of Rep- 
resentatives, or the lower branch of Congress. 

6. The Representatives. — The constitutional members of the popular branch 
of Congress. 

The wives of these constituiional officials are entitled to the same place in 
the general scale of precedence as their husl)ands. 

All other ranks are subordinate, being simple creations of statutory enact- 
ments of the constitutional powers represented in the order of official per.on- 
nel of the Constitution. The precedence of arrangement of the legislative 
power in the Constitution first, does not necessarily give it precedence of au 
thority, as the act of giving legislation constitutional force emanates from the 
executive power of the President. The revisionary authority of the Supreme 
Court is purely contingent upon antagonism of interests on questions of con- 
stitutional interpretation, and naturally falls into the third place of coordi- 
nate branches of the Government. 

The common law of precedence among women, for a known period of six 
centuries, his always accepted the paramount principle that precedence ema- 
nates from the father or husband, and not from the females of a family, except 
when holding the titles of honor or rank in their own right. The same rule 
would rationally apply to the ladies in the social scale at Washington. Ladies 
in official life can have no claims to precedence above the rank of their hus- 
bands. Therefore, the wife of the Vice-President, the President p^v tern., or 
of the Speaker, under the old law, could no more be the first lady of the 
land, a social dignity conceded to the wife of the President, or presiding lady 
of the President's household, than could the wife of the Vice-President, or the 
wife of the Secretary of State, and so on through the statutory line of suc- 
cession under the new law, set up such pretensions under similar circum- 
stances. The inconsistency of all such assumptions of precedence in the 
female line, regardless of the official rank of the husband, will be seen 



AMKRICAN PRECEDKN'CV AND THI.ES. 29 

The executive, legislative and judicial coordinate branches of the Govern- 
ment among themselves have certain relations of rank, but such relation of 
rank is peculiar to each of those classes, and gives no position in the general 
scale of official precedence. That scale applies only to those who enjoy dig- 
nities and official rank as part of the Constitution. 

Without going into the interminable controversies over issues of precedence 
among the early meml)ers of the Government, and carried on with more or 
less vehemence at different times since Washington laid down the rudimentary 
code to govern tlie official and social surroundings of his administration some 
of the very recent questions involved in tiiese knotty and often bitter conflicts 
of official and social interest in governmental circles, will illustrate the utility 
of a scale of precedence, and the illogical grounds upon which tliese contro- 
versies have often been carried on by persons ambitious of distinctions above 
the line of their station in the official and social economy of the Government. 
A point at issue within the past few years has been the claims of the wives of 
the Vice President and the Speaker to social preeminence in event of the 
President being without a wife. During the Presidency of Mr. Arthur, the 
wife of the President pro tern, being in bad health, though never, however, 
advancing the claim t(5 precedence, the wife of the Speaker undertook to assert 
her claims to preside at the state or social enterlainmen's of the President's 
household, to the exclusion of the presiding lady of the Mansion by designa- 
tion of the President himself. The wife of the Speaker held a court of her 
own, which was brilliant in the circle of her own admirers, but had no recog- 
nition from the Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, judiciary, army, or navy. 

At the outset of the present administration, the wife of the Vice-President — 
the President bei g al>achelor — setupthe same claims to precedence on formal 
occasions. In this case the President took the matter in hand and, having 
invited his sister to preside over his household, omitted from the list of the re- 
ceiving party at his first levee the wife of the Vice-President, which was an 
emphatic rejection of her claims. A great deal of loose liu^rature, masculine 
and feminine, was expended in both cases in support <jf th(*i3retensions of-the 
ambitious ladies in question. The conundrum of the season was: "Who is 
the first lady of tlie land? " 

The first legislative enactment ever i)laced on the statute books establish- 
ing a designated order of precedence WnS the act of January 19, 1886, vest- 
ing tlie lino of succession to the office of President in event of deatli, resigna- 
tion (<r inability to act, in the members of the Caliinet. This act made a radi- 
cal change on several important points of former controversy. It also re- 
modeleil the crder of precedence among the members of the Calnnet them- 
selves. The act revived the official order of the members of the first Cabinet 



30 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

of President Washington, viz : Secretary of State, Treasury, War, Attorney 
General, and Postmaster General. The remaining two follow in their order 
of c;eation, as Secretary of the Navy and of the Interior. The Secretary of 
the Navy, previously fourth by usage, is now sixth by law, in the order of 
precedence. The statute of succession and precedence of 1886, therefore, 
conclusively settled the order of members of the Cabinet and their wives. 

The act of 1886, however, seemed to stimulate the claims of Cabinet minis- 
ters and their ladies to precedence over Senators and Representatives, on the 
ground of being in the line of succession to the Presidency. Washington or 
ganized the Government under the Constitution, and ran it for five months 
without a Cabinet, or even an executive department. The Cabinet order of 
succession is contingent upon the will of those representing the powers of the 
Constitution, and, being purely a matter of convenience, reversible, if public 
interests demand, their legislative prominence with reference to the Presiden- 
tial succession, carries no superiority of rank. The Vice-President is the 
constitutional heir presumptive to the Presidency. He is also the constitu- 
tional highest officer of the Congress. If the claims of the members of the 
Cabinet hold good, then the Secretary of State would take precedence of the 
President pro tern, of the Senate, when the Vice-President succeeds to the 
exercise of the duties of President. That would place a statutory Cabinet 
officer ahead of the highest officer of the second coordinate branch of the 
Government by warrant of the Constitution, and ahead of a Senator who not 
only has the power to make the President/w tcni., but who has the constitu- 
tional right to advise and consent to the creation of a Cabinet officer before he 
can receive a full commission to exercise his duties. 

The claims of members of the Diplomatic Corps to certain places in the 
scale of precedence at Washington, though they have been put forward at dif- 
ferent times since the inauguration of the Government, do not enter into the 
question of ceremonial affairs, except as part of the suite of the President as 
guests of the nation. Their quasi-official relations compel their first call upon 
the Secretary of State, not as a member of the Cabinet, but representing the 
President. At state dinners they appear as a distinctive body, and are ar- 
ranged in order of precedence, according to date of seniority of their presenta- 
tion of credentials to the President. As a matter of ceremonial calls, they 
would be expected to make the first social call upon the Secretary of State, 
(representing the Executive, ) the Vice-President of the United States, or Presi- 
dent /rc/'^w. of the Senate, and the Chief Justice of the United States. The 
same rule would apply to their ladies. Their social relations with other mem- 
bers of the Cabinet, Senators, Justices, or Representatives, are optional. 

The question of titles was one of the conspicuous subjects of controversy in 



AMERICAN PRECKDENCY AND TITLES. 3 1 

the convention which framed llie present form of Ciovernment of the United 
States. The issue sprung up on the proper title of the President of the 
United States. A strong party, charged with monarchical tendencies, favored 
some style of additional title for the Chief Executive Officer of tlie nation, on 
the ground of international, as well as ceremonial, considerations. The ma- 
jority, however, favored cutting entirely loose from every appearance of imi- 
tation of the forms of the nations of the Old World, which resulted in the 
provision in the Constitution that " no title of nobility shall be granted by the 
United States." 

The contest started in the convention of 1787 was carried into the First 
Congress, which established by legislation, or practice, many of the official 
and social precedents of the seat of government, and made them co-incident 
with the setting in motion of the machinery of the new Constitution. Vice- 
President Adams, a Puritan, was the champion in the Senate of high-sound- 
ing titles for the chief officers of the Govermnent, and Richard Henry Lee, 
of Virginia, a cavalier, espousedjthe aristocratic cause in the House of Repre- 
sentatives. These incipient controversies are not only unique, but instructive, 
in view of the adherence of popular sentiment for nearly a century to the 
policy of opposition to all titles other than those appertaining to official, judi- 
cial, military, or naval rank. 

Within forty-eight hours after the organization of Congress and the installa- 
tion of John Adams as Vice-President and President of the Senate, that func 
tionary gave that body a lecture on the necessity and propriety of titles. 
Having passed much time at the most brilliant courts of Europe as diplo- 
matic minister, Mr. Adams had completely outgrown his Puritan instincts. 
He also became involved in a preliminary slcirmish with the House of Repre- 
sentatives on the proper title in adtlressing an official communication to their 
Speaker. Having asked whether he should apply the prefix "Honorable," 
the House administered a jirompt and decided negative, pi-eferring the simple, 
unembellished official title of their presiding officer, viz: "The SjJeaker of 
the House of Representatives." 

The effort to give the President an ornamental title took a more determined 
turn. A committee, at the instigation of the aristocratic party in the Senate, 
having been appointed in both Houses, the subject gave rise to a parlia- 
mentary battle, which at one time grew rather too threatening to be in- 
teresting. The New England, Virginia, and South Carolina Senators were 
the most active champions of a high-sounding title. Ellsworth, of Connecti- 
cut, claimed that all the world, civilized and savage, called for titles ever since 
society was organized. The simple title, "The President," he thought 
soun<le(l too much like the presiding officer of a cricket club, or fire company. 



32 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

"His Excellency" was proposed, Iml witlidrawn, and "Highness" substi- 
tuted, with the prefatory word "Elective," as "His Elective Highness 
George Washington, President of the United States," claiming that such a 
dignified title would add weight and authority to the office at home ai d abroad. 
The champions of titles went over the whole list of the princes and potentates 
of the earth in support of the title "Highness." This was antagonized as 
beneath the dignity of the elective ruler of the United States, on the ground 
that the Grand Turk had it, that all the princes of Germany and sons and 
daughters of crowned heads had it; therefore it was degrading to the Presi- 
dent of the United States to place him on a par with princes of any blood in 
Europe. The committee finally reported to the Senate as the title of the 
President: "His Highness the President of the United States of America 
and Protector of the Rights of the Same." 

When this high-flown official designation reached the House, the contending 
champions became so heated in their remarks that a rupture was threatened. 
The anti-title advocates insisted that the Constitution called him "The Presi- 
dent of the United States," and, therefore, that was his title. The wags of 
the two Houses nagged their opponents by addressing them, " Yoar Highness 
of the Senate," "His Highness of the Lower House." 

This extraordinary discussion consumed three weeks of the opening de- 
liberations of the P'irst Congress of the United States, on the floor and in 
committee. At length the obduracy of the House, in support of republican 
simplicity in titles, as in governmental forms, compelled the conference com- 
mittee, to which the matter was finally referred, to report their inability to 
agree. The Senate committee having decided not to address the President as 
"His Excellency," made a final recommendation of title as " His Highness, 
the President of the United States of America and Protector of their Liber- 
ties;" The Senate, seeing that their efforts to make the President a titled 
personage in violation of the Constitution was getting too serious, voted to 
postpone the further consideration of the question. The following report, 
which gave expression to the views of the Senate, was then agreed to :. " From 
a decent respect for the opinion and practice of civilized nations, whether un- 
der monarchical or republican forms of government, whose custom is to annex 
titles of respectability to the office of their chief magistrate, and that in inter- 
course with foreign nations a due respect for the majesty of the people of the 
L'nited States may not be hazarded by an appearance of singularity, the Senate 
have been induced to be of the opinion that it would be proper to annex a 
respectable title to the ofiice of President of the United States; but the Senate, 
desirous of preserving harmony with the House of Representatives, where 
the practice lately observed in presenting an address to the President was 



AMERICAN PRECEDENCY AND THLES. 33 

without the addition of title, think it proper for the present to act in con- 
formity with the practice of the House. 

"Tlierefore, resolved, That the present address be 'To the Presiilcnl of 
the United States,' without addition of title." 

The discussion of the subject of titles was commenced in Congress before 
the arrival of Washington in New York. In a letter of July, I 7f^9, to a friend 
i;i Virginia, the first President expressed his opposition to additional title. It 
was urged that "His High Mightiness," the title of the Stadtholders of 
Holland, was his choice, but there is nothing to show that he ever expressed 
>uch an opinion. 

The use of titles in tlie United States, having been restricted in the very- 
first days of the Government to the simple constitutional or statutory desig- 
nation of the office, has never been deviated from since. The form.il style or 
addressing any officer in his official capacity in writing is therefore simply by 
the title of his office, and nothing else. In conversation the complimentary 
title Mr. is prefixed by usage and propriety to the designations of civil or 
judicial office, as Mr. President, Mr, Secretary, Mr. Justice, Mr. Senator. In 
an official communication of a personal character, it is proper to use the fim- 
l)le name of the individual with the title of his ofiice added. Usage has 
allowed in the United S.ates the prefix of title " Honorable" to the name of 
the official with the title of his office added. The title "Honorable" in 
England applies to younger sons of noblemen, the elder sons taking the title 
of the house or family rank. It also applies to members of Parliament and 
other persons holding places of honor and trust. 

The title "Honorable" therefore is a subordinate one, and the lowest in 
the scale of titles of rank in foreign countries. In the United States it is 
never applied to the President, Vice President or Chief Justice, but is used 
by custom and courtesy in addressing elective officers, as Senators and Repre- 
sentatives, and the higher officials holding office from the President and 
confirmation by the Senate. It also applies to Governors of States, Judges of 
courts, and Mayors of cities. Its abuse is its promiscuous application to State 
legislators and others not in national office or chief office in States. It is not 
American, however, in any sense, nor in harmony with tlie rigid doctrine 
established by the Constitution and the First Congress. Its use i)laccs every 
official. National or State, of the United States in the estimation of the world 
on a level with the younger sons of nobdity, an objection in the First Congress 
to using "Highness" as applied to the President, because it lowered him 
before the world to the level of foreign princes and sons and daughters of 
crowned heads. It is more in accordance with the spirit of American institu- 
tions to adhere to the theory of the first discussion of the subject. If the 



34 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

name of the official he used it should be without prefix or suffix of title, 
followed by the title cf the office as Grover Cleveland, President of the United 
States ; John Sherman, Senator of the United States, or Thomas F. Bayard, 
Secretary of State; or another form as Senator Evarts, Speaker Carlisle, 
Representative Randall, and so on. The use of "Esquire" is equally out of 
place among Americans. The title " Esquire" in England is applied to still 
younger sons of noblemen, officers of tlie King's courts, counsellors-at-law, 
justices of the peace, sheriffs, and " other gentlemen." The title of courtesy 
permissible as in entire symphony with the spirit of American institutions is 
Mr. The Supreme Court of the United States, from the begiiining of its 
history, has used the forn\ of address, Mr. Chief Justice — or Mr. Justice — in 
writing or in conversation. This is sanctioned by the authority of the court 
itself. Their ladies are also addressed in the same form, by the same 

authority, as Mrs. Chief Justice , or Mrs. Justice . The form of 

address for an American Diplomatic Minister, in use by the Department of 

State, is singularly enough Esqr., and not even "Honorable." The 

lilies of military or naval rank are indispensable to discipline, authority and 
administration. 

One of the much-discussed and perplexing problems of social life at the 
capital, where some of the most prominent ladies belong to one of the many 
official circles, is their proper form of address. In Washington society the 
wives of officials use the titles of their husbands, with Mrs. prefixed. This 
custom is part of the lex non scripta of social practices in official life. It has 
been found necessary to adopt this form for the identification of the ladies in 
official society, in the minds of the mass of strangers and transient persons 
who mingle in Washington social life during the fashionable season. It there- 
fore has the strong endorsement of convenience. It would doubtless be more 
euphonious to use simply the married surname, prefixed by Mrs. But this 
might apply to wives of individuals in high office, and consequently widely 
known by name, but to ladies whose husbands are of less note, and of sub- 
ordinate official rank, the first form has its advantages. Among strangers it 
dispenses with explanations. They then know at once with whom they are 
mingling. In other cases it is unnecessary to sandwich an official title be- 
tween Mrs. and the lady's name. Every ore knows who is meant by Mrs. 
Cleveland, and so on through the list of brilliant women who ornament the 
social circles of official life. Therefore to say Mrs. President Cleveland, or 
the same in the case of the wives of well-known personages of official rank, 
would be unnecessary. But, as a rule, it would be indispensable to a knowl- 
edge of the official place of a majority of ladies to say, Mrs. Senaior , 

Mrs. Representative , Mrs. Comptroller , or to make the same 

use of the title of any other officer of Presidential appomtment and Senatorial 



THE CABIN KT. 35 

confirmation, in speaking of his wife. The inadvCitence or unreasonableness of 
the persons who criticise this convenient form for the identification of persons 
in the feminine circles of official rank, is best characterized by calling their 
attention to the accepted use, under similar circumstances, of professional titles 

among the wives of professional men, as Mrs, Rev. , Mrs. Doctor . 

The use of titles in the form indicated for woman, has, therefore, neces- 
sarily become pari of the social institutions of the Government, and has al- 
ways had the sanction ofusage and the endorsement of convenience. This rule, 
however, does not apply to daughters, as custom has never accorded any 
other than the titles of courtesy in good society to the daughters or other lady 
members of the families of officials. The President and Mrs. Washington, 
the First Congress, and the first Chief Justice and Associate Justices and 
their ladies laid the foundations of the social superstructure of the three 
coordinate branches of the Government, and mar'.^ed out the line of the sub- 
ordinate official and unofficial customs at the National Capital, from which 
there has since been no material departure. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Cabinet. 

The administration — the order of precedency of the cabinet in 

THE official SCALE — THE PREMIER — SECRETARY HAYARD — THE BAYARD 
FAMILY — HIS FOREIGN POLICY — THE NK.W SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 
— MR. FAIRCHILD— MRS. FAIRCHILD — EX-SECRETARY AND MRS. MANNING 
— SECRETARY AND MRS. ENDICOTT — ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND — 
POSTMASTER GENERAL AND MRS. VILAS — SECRETARY AND MRS. WHITNEY 
— SECRETARY AND MRS. LAMAR. 



uT^ HE President and the Cabinet entrusted with the execution of the 
Tul laws, and the direction of public affairs are collectively designated 
^^ The Administration. 

To overcome the dangers incident to the statutes regulating the Presiden- 
tial succession led to the first designation by Congressional enactment, Janu- 
ary 19, 1886, of an order of precedence affecting the members of the Caljinet 
of the President. Previously their arrangement at meetings in counsel with 
the President upon affairs of state and upon other official and ceremonial occa- 
sions was by seniority of date of elevation of the office into an executive de- 
partment. This rule gave the members of the Cabinet their order of jirece- 
dence, viz: Secretary of State (the Premier,) Treasury, War, Navy, 
Postmaster General, Secretary of the Interior, and Attorney General. The 



36 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

repeal of the old law designating the President pro. tein. of the Senate, or, if 
none, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex officio heirs presump- 
tive to the Presidency in case of removal, death, resignation, or inability of 
both the President and Vice President of the United States, under the 
act of 1886, substituted as the line of succession the Secretary of State, Treas- 
ury, War, the Attorney General, the Postmaster General, the Secretary of 
the Navy, and the Secretary of the Interior. 

This statutory declaration restored the first five cabinet ministers to their 
order of precedence in the cabinet of the first President and added those 
since created in the order of seniority. This statute being the recognized de- 
gree of proximity of each officer named to the Chief Executive office of the 
nation he takes precedence, or rank accordingly in the administration and its 
ceremonial and social affairs. 

The official authority of a member of the Cabinet does not extend beyond 
the jurisdiction of his own Department. His social prerogatives do not give 
him the exclusiveness of the President's official household. He should 
make the first call of etiquette upon the Vice President, Chief, and Justices 
of the Supreme Court, and Senators, and receive the first call from all others. 
He returns calls in person or by card. The ladies are governed by the same 
rules. The ladies of the Cabinet hold their Drawing Rooms for receiving 
residents and strangers in good society. The Cabinet Minister usually holds 
one or more receptions by card, during the season. 

The Secretary of State, in his position as Primier of the Administration, 
enjoys prerogatives not common to other members of the Cabinet, and is 
charged with special duties ol an official, ceremonial and social nature. He 
has charge of the arrangement of all State occasions not social, in which the 
President is the principal. He greets, in the name of the President, a mem- 
ber of a royal family, or ruler of a foreign state visiting the Capital. Is pres- 
ent during his call of etiquette, and attends the President in returning the 
visit. He arranges the audiences accorded Diplomatic Ministers in present- 
ing their credentials, or taking leave. He has also certain social obligations 
not imposed upon his colleagues. He gives the Representatives of Foreign 
Governments residing near the Government at Washington, a Diplomatic 
breakfast immediately after the New Year's call of the Corps upon the Presi- 
dent. He also, during the social season, entertains the members of the for- 
eign Legations, and their ladies at a Diplomatic reception, or series of din- 
ners, upon which occasions the ministers and ladies appear in full dress. 

The Premier of the administration, Thomas Francis Bayard, of Delaware, 
Secretary of State, is descended from a long line cf ancestors numbered 
among the gallant knights and courtiers conspicuous in the wars of France 



THE CABINKT. 37 

duriiig tile sixteenth and seventeenth, and statesmen prominent in colonial, 
rev(>lutionary and national affairs in America during the eighteenth and nine- 
teenth centuries. Ore of three Hayards, brothers, who entered the Reformed 
faith in France and fled to Holland to escape religious persecution early in the 
seventeenth century, became the husband of Anna, the widowed sister of Peter 
Stuyvesant, the Governor of New Amsterdam. With her three sons and one 
d lughter she landed in America with her valiant brother, the Governor of the 
Dutcli possessions. Petrus, the youngest of these sons, was naturalized in 
Maryland in 1684. It was his grandson, James Ashton Bayard, the grand- 
father of Secretary Bayard, who made Thomas Jefferson President of the United 
States by changing his vote in the House of Representatives in 1801. Mr. 
Bayard, who is fifty-eight, was the third in consecutive line in his family, 
who for forty-three years had served in the Senate of the United States. 

As a Senator, Mr. Bayard resided sixteen years in Washington; therefore, 
when he entered the Cabinet the ladies of his family were well known to Wash- 
ington society. The sudden death of his beautiful daughter Katherine, at the 
height of the season of 1885-6, whose accomplishments in languages had made 
her a great favorite in all circles, and the death of his wife two weeks after, 
was not only an overwhelming family affliction, but an irreparable loss to the 
social life of the capital. Mrs. Louisa Bayard, whose marriage took place in 
1853, ^^'"^^ a daughter of Josiah Lee, a retired India merchant and banker of 
Baltimore. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom, six girls 
and three boys, grew up. Annie Francis Bayard, a very beautiful young lady, 
has just passed twenty, and Florence, equally beautiful, has just closed her 
teens. Louisa is nearly eighteen, and would have entered society during the 
past season but for the double mourning which still overhung the family circle. 
Nellie, attending school in Boston, resides with her eldest sister, Mabel, 
Mrs. Warren, wife of Samuel D. Warren, jr., attorney-at-law. Miss Anne 
or Nannie Bayard, who presides over her father's household, is a young lady 
of varied attractions of manner and culture, but is more particularly celebrated 
as being the finest horsewoman in Washington. She is entirely fearless, and 
can manage the most spirited animal. Her exploits in hurdle jumping and 
fox hunting are not only marvelous, but thrilling. Florence who is a bru- 
nette, more closely resembles her sister Katherine. She is a bright, loveable 
ycung lady, and domestically inclined. The Secretary's son James, an ex- 
ceedingly brilliant young man, is secretary for the Territory of Arizona. He 
inherits the politics of his family. Thomas and Philip, two younger sons, 
are at school. 

Secretary Bayard has never been a georgeous entertainer, but his iiouse 
has always been the center of attraction of the most select and cultivated jxro- 



38 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

pie in society. His manners are courtly, and his conversation interesting 
and varied. He is a man of distinguished presence. Hisface, which is smooth- 
shaven, combines in expression a pleasing contrast of the lights ot kindly in- 
stincts with the shadings of a thoughtful mind. His chief recreation is horse- 
manship, in which he is expert, and always keeps fine animals for equestrian 
enjoyment. 

In his high office of Secretary of State, he has been to the President a 
prudent counselor in the management of the delicate, and often intricate, 
questions growing out of international relations and policy. He has been 
roundly charged by critics of being un-American in his ideas and leanings, 
when absolutely the reverse has been the fact. In the rejection by Austria of 
the cast-off American Diplomatic Representative to Italy, he resented with de- 
cided epistolary vehemence the right of a foreign government to apply a re- 
ligious test to an American Minister, in contravention of the letter of the 
Constitution of the United States and the spirit of American institutions. jVus- 
Iria has just shown her desire to cultivate a renewal of representation by send- 
ing a new diplomatic minister to Washington. In a controversy with Mevico, 
he denied the right of a foreign government to punish a citizen of the United 
States for an offense committed on American territory, and coerced that gov- 
ernment into an ulterior charge of circulating libel on Mexican soil, which fur- 
nished a loophole of exit from unpleasant diplomatic relations between the two 
Republics. In the protection of American interests during the burning of 
Panama, and in the correspondence logically ensuant to the prompt un- 
asked occupation of the unfortunate Isthmian metropolis by United States 
forces, and harbor by an American fleet, in warlike array, he gave a 
pointedness of presentation of the Monroe doctrine and the American 
view of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty far in advance of anything ventured 
upon by the American Government. In the fishery complications he has 
from the beginnmg asserted the rights of American fishermen in Canadian 
waters, under treaty stipulations. His desire to go further \vas embarrassed 
by the interpretation placed by Secretary Fish upon the treaty of 1818, under 
which the right to do certain things was renounced by the United States, and 
Great Britain relinquished her right under the treaty of r783, of free naviga 
tion of the Mississippi river. The treaty of Washington, he maintained, 
simply preserved the modus rivendi of certain things not yielded. The same 
intelligent action has attended the organization of the Diplomatic Service, the 
chief courts having representative men of the dominant party in Executive 
affairs. 

Having for more than a year performed the duties ot Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, it was a fitting recognition of Assistant Secretary Charles Stebbins Fair- 



THK CABINET. 39 

child, that he sliould succeed Mr. Manning upon liis lelircment from thai office. 
Mr. Fairchild, a native of Cazenovia, was born in 1S42. Having completed 
a collegiate education and a course of law, in 1871, he became junior member 
of the law firm of Hand, Hale, Schwartz & Fairchild, of Albany. In 1868 he 
began his political career by organizing the Democratic pr\rty of his native 
couniy, as chairman of its committee, in support of Horatio Seymour, for 
President, running for the State Senate himself. He was Deputy Attorney 
General of New York by appointment. As a recognition of his abilit)- he 
was nominated and elected Attorney General in 1876. Having served this 
out he spent two years in Europe. He was President of the Charities Aid 
Association of the State, and Vice-President of the Charity Organization So- 
ciety of the City of New York. Both are corporate bodies, the former with 
power:; conferred by the State to investigate any of the public eleenxosynary 
establishmeiits, and are well known throughout the entire civilized world. In 
1880 he began the practice of law in New York, in which he continued until 
his invitation, in 1885, to the second place in the administration of the fiscal 
department of the Government by Secretary Manning. 

Secretary Fairchild is in the vigor of health. He is a man of quick percep- 
tions and an analytical mind. He is one of the seven youngest persons who 
hr.ie filled the post of Secretary of the Treasury. The youngest was Alex- 
ander Hamilton, Washington's first Secretary, who was thirty-two; Wolcott, 
the second, was thirty-five; and Dexter and Gallatin, third and fourth, were 
forty; Bristow, was forty-one; Crawford was forty-four, which was also the 
age of Secretary Fairchild. Had the appointment been made April 30, in- 
stead of April I, he would have been forty-five, the ages of Rush, McLane, 
and Woodbury. During the canal ring investigations in New York, he was 
closely associated with Samuel J. Tilden, who had great confidence in his 
judgment and abilities, and always favored his political advancement He is 
sound on financial questions, sustains the administration position on silver, 
and is a tariff reformer. He is conservative, however, in his treatment of 
public quest'ons coming within the jurisdiction of his department, and is not 
given to hobbies. He sets the example of promptness at his office. In so- 
ciety he is not very demonstrative, but is a man of agreeable manners in offi- 
cial or social intercourse He is a close observer, and not aggressive in con- 
versation, lieing more of a listener than a talker. He is striking in appear- 
ance, middle-sized, of stocky build, with jet black hair and eyes. He always 
dresses in excellent taste. 

Mrs. Fairchild, who is the first lady of the cabinet, the Premier i>eing a 
widower, was Helen Lincklaen, daughter of Ledyard Lincklaeii, of Cazeno- 
via, N. v. She is of medium stature, of graceful figure, blonde, with brown 



40 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

eyes, and interesting in conversation, but not aggressive, generally acting on 
the defensive in the general topics of social talk. Her toilettes are in excellent 
taste Her father was born Lincklaen Ledyard, a son of Jonathan Denise 
Ledyard. A sister of the latter married John Lincklaen, of Holland, who 
came to the United States in 1792 as agent of the Holland Land Company, 
and purchased a tract of land in New York forty by four miles, in the vicinity 
of Cazenovia. The Ledyards were of the same Groton, Conn., family as 
Col. William Ledyard, the defender of Fort Griswold, in 1 781, who was 
pierced through the body by the British commander, after he had surren- 
dered his sword, and John Ledyard, who circumnavigated the globe with Cap- 
tain John Cook, and was with him when he was killed by the cannibals of the 
Sandwich Islands. At the request of his aunt, the widow ot John Lincklaen, 
the name of Lincklaen Ledyard, was chp.nged to Ledyard Lincklaen. and to 
the old Lincklaen mansion at Cazenovia, some years before the death of his 
aunt, he brought his bride. Miss Helen Clarissa Seymour. He was distin- 
guished for his love of literature and science, being a frequent contributor to 
the magazines of his day. At the time of his death, in 1864, at forty-three 
years of age, he was regarded as the leading authority in the geology of the 
State. Mrs. Fairchild's mother is a sister of Horatio Seymour, and one of 
six children of Henry Seymour, a gentleman conspicuous in the business and 
politics of New York, in the early part of the century, who married Mary For- 
man. The other children are Mary, widow of Rutger B. Miller, John For- 
man Seymour, Julia, wife of Roscoe Conkling, all resident of Utica, N. Y., 
and Sophii Seymour, widow of Mr. Shonnard. of Yonkers, N. Y. The Sey- 
mours are descended from Richard Seymour, an Episcopal clergyman, who 
came to America from England with the Popham colony, which settled in 
Maine. His Bible, among the heirlooms of the Hartford branch of the 
family, shows that he came from Berry Pomeroy Castle, then the property 
of the Seymour family, of which the Duke of Somerset is a present member. 

The Ledyards were already connected with the Seymours by several mar- 
riages before the Revolution, and both families had at the same period inter- 
married with the Formans of New Jersey. All these families settled in the 
heart of New York early in .the century. 

Secretary Fairchild's paternal grandfather, John Fairchild, settled in Madi- 
son county some years after the Ledyards. He was the printer and publisher 
of a newspaper. His son, Sidney T., married Helen Childs, daughter of 
Perry G. Childs, then a prominent lawyer, and Democratic politician, and at 
one time a State Senator. Mr. Childs came to Cazenovia from Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts, when a young man. His father, a physician of that pictur- 
esque town, having given his sons a good education, fitted out two of them, 



THE CABINET. 4 1 

David and Perry G. Childs, with a liorse and chaise, and started them to ,cek 
their fortunes in the western wilderness. At Utica they sold the chaise and 
harness. David remained in Utica, where he became a successful banker and 
business man. Perry, with the horse, continued westward until he reached 
Cazenovia, where he halted, and began the practice ot law. Here he married 
Miss Catharine Ledyard, sister of Mrs. John Lincklaen. 

Sidney T. Fairchild, the Secretary's father, after receiving an education at 
Hamilton and Union colleges, began the practice of law at Utica, where he 
resided a short time after his marriage. Upon the death of his father-in-law, 
Mr. Perry G. Childs, he returneU to Cazenovia and became associated in his 
profession with Charles Stebbins, the partner of his deceased father in-law, 
also a prominent Democrat and Stale Senator. He has been a successful law- 
yer himself, and had much to dc with the development of his section of the 
State, having been prominently connected with the Great Western Turnpike, 
then the main highway from New York city westward to Buffalo. He was 
active in the construction of the railroad from Utica to Syracuse, which after- 
wards became part of the New York Central Railroad. He has also been 
more or less connected with that great corporation ever since. He never held 
any office except that of village trustee, but has always been an earnest Demo- 
crat, representing his county frequently in State and National conventions. 

The most noticeable figure in the Cabinet politically was Daniel Manning, 
and his compulsory retirement on account of sadly impaired health, has 
been the most sad experience of the President since he entered office. There 
existed between them a particularly close relation. Their acquaintance grew 
out of the erratic movements of New York politics, which led to Grover 
Cleveland's election to the Governorship. The closer acquaintance which fol- 
lowed culminated in the recognition by the leader of New York politics, of 
the possibilities of that unexpected, mysterious and unsummoned power be- 
fore the people. He saw the futility of running any more campaigns on old 
blood and played-out issues. He saw in the modest and unostentatious head 
of the civil authority of the State the man of the future. Grover Cleveland is 
in the Executive Mansion and the Democratic party in control, more through 
the incipient counsels and subsequent efforts of Daniel Manning, than any 
other one man. Mr. Manning was more of a party man than the President, 
and it was not always that their views, from a parly standpoint, were in ac- 
cord. Before his sudden illness, the presence of the Secretary at the Execu- 
tive Mansion, out of official hours, was of daily occurence. The President 
was the conserving influence in the carrying out of the policy of aaministration 
which had been promisefl in platforms, letters of acceptance, party declama- 
tion, and inaugural and annual messages. Under the pressure of political 



42 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ififluence, the Secretary was often inclined to yield to greater impetuosity than 
his convictions of expediency, even from a partisan standpoint, would natur- 
ally prompt, but he found in the President that same imperturbability of char- 
acter which first impressed him. 

The retirement of Mr. Manning withdrew from the counsels of the Presi- 
dent the sagacious and healthful advice of a devoted friend. He was the 
politician of the Cabinet. He was reared in the Albany school of politics. 
It was also the city of his birth, in 1831. He represented the Albany Atlas, 
the Argus, of which he is now executive proprietor, in the Legislature, and 
there built up his influence in State and National party affairs. He was in- 
strumental in the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden to the Governorship in 1874, 
and was a member of every Democratic State Convention down to the nomi- 
nation of Grover Cleveland as Governor of New York. He was a member of 
the New York Democratic State Committee from 1876 to 1884, the last four 
years being its chairman. He was in the National Convention which nomi- 
nated Tilden in 1876, Hancock in 1880, and Cleveland in 1884. He conducted 
the National campaign of 1884 in New York which secured that State to the 
Democrats. In the control of Stale politics he succeeded Dean Richmond 
and Samuel J. Tilden. 

His two years management of the fiscal policy of the Administration was an 
eminent success. He stood manfully in consistent hostility to the historic and 
traditional financial heresies of his own party, and from the first moved forward 
in the line of sound doctrines of finance. On economic questions he displayed 
a leaning towards the pro-British theories of his party, which were apparently 
not the understood convictions of his mind when he entered the Department. 
He surrendered his charge with just pride in having belied partisan croak- 
ings about panics and financial disorders through his stand on behalf of the 
financial and business interests of the Nation, as against heresies chiefly in- 
spired by the purely partisan opposition of a majority of the party in power 
to the party which in twenty -four years had reared the superstructure of the 
greatest and most beneficent financial system ever contrived by the ingenuity 
of men or nations. He left the finances fiimly established upon a gold basis, 
and the administration of the Department in as good condition as when he 
assumed the reins of authority. 

The official society of the Capital also feels the loss of the beautiful wife of 
the Secretary of the Treasury. Mrs. Manning was Miss Mary Margaretta 
Fryer, daughter of W. J. Fryer, of Albany, a retired merchant, the marriage 
taking place in November, 1884, immediately after the announcement of the 
successful issue of the Presidential campaign. The first Mrs. Manning, Miss 
Mary Little, a charming lady, of English parentage, died in 1882, leaving two 



THE CABINET. 43 

sons and two daughters. Her eldest son, James Hilton Manning, is manag- 
ing editor of the Albany Argits, of which his father is president. Her eldest 
daughter, Anna, is married and living happily in Albany. Miss Mary, who 
is just passing her teens, was the debutante of the Cabinet circle during the 
season. This highly educated and gifted young lady is a mild type of htonde, 
but the chief attiaclion of her beauty is the close feminine resemblance she 
bears to her distinguished father. She has a well-rounded figure, a pleasing 
face and engaging manners. 

The present Mrs. Manning is in the early thirties, a tall, slender and hand- 
some blonde. She is descended from a branch of the family of Chancellor 
Livingston, who adir.mistered the oath of office to the first President. She 
has all the captivating grace and womanly charms of the ladies of those model 
days of feminine loveliness. During the two years of her residence in Wash- 
ington she gathered around her a wide circle of friends. Her social en- 
tertainments were always in great taste. In her departure she carried with 
her the affectionate and regretful farewells of every member of official and so- 
cial life. 

The Secretary ot War, William Crowninshield Endicott, represents the old 
Puritan stock of Governor John Endicott, who was sent out in 1628 by the 
Massachusetts Company to take charge of their affairs at Salem. This son of 
that blue-blooded ancestry was born one hundred and ninety-eight years after 
on the same spot. Erom 1873 to 18S2 he was Associate Justice of the Su- 
preme Court of Massachusetts, and in 1S84 President Cleveland chose him as 
the representative of that better type of Northern Democracy, which regards 
statesmanship as something more than office farming. The Secretary is a man 
of middle stature and somewhat gray. In conversation, while reserved, pos- 
sibly the result of the judicial habit, he is still affable and satisfying. 

Miss Ellen Peabody, daughter of George Peabody, of Salem, the same 
stock J.S the great philanthropist of Danvers, became Mrs. Endicott in 1859. 
She is a tall, stately lady, and a little younger than the Secretary. She re- 
minds one of the high-born ladies of the olden days. Her daughter, Mary C. 
Endicott, assists in the social entertainments of the War Secretary's home. 
She is the embodiment of New England feminine culture. Her figure is of a 
distinguished mould, and her manners the same. Her face is an index to an 
intelligent and well- stored mind. Her conversation has a tendency to the 
aesthetic and philosophic. The mother of Secretary Endicott was a niece of 
Jacob Crowninshield, of Massachusetts, President Jefferson's Secretary of the 
Navy, 1805-9. She died when her son was but a child. 

The Secretary lives and entertains well, .•\mong the guests during the 
season were Mrs. Knyvett W. Sears, of Boston, sister of Mrs. Endicott and 



44 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

of Mrs. \V. P. Mason, with whom Mrs. Cleveland resided when visiting Bos- 
ton with the President in November, l886. 

The Attorney-General of the Administration, Augustus H. Garland, is a 
Tennesseean by birth and Arkansan by consecutive residence of over three 
decades. He helped to pass the ordinance of secession of his State in 1861 
and make laws for the Confederacy. He was refused a seat in the United 
States Senate in 1867. He gained a suit in the test oath case as to lawyers in 
ihe Supreme Court of the United States. In 1874 he was elected Governor 
of Arkansas without opposition, and received a similar mark of confidence in 
his election to the United States Senate in 1876 and 1882. He was the most 
progressive of any of the Southern Democratic Senators. He believed in ac- 
cepting the results of the war as finally settling the issues between the two 
sections, which had grown out of the difiering views of the statesmen in the 
infancy of the Constitution. He denounced the Bourbon idea that all past, 
present and future political wisdom was to be summed up in the resolutions 
of 1 798. Although fifty-four years of age, the Attorney-General has a much 
younger appearance. He is of retiring manner, the result of habits of medi- 
tation and study. In the Senate he was ranked on the Democratic with Ed- 
munds on the Republican side. When he entered the Cabinet Mr. Garland 
had been a widower eight years. His mother has charge of his household, 
which consists of one son and daughter grown and three children at school. 
Plis eldest daughter, Daisy, will finish her education this year, and will be 
the Cabinet debutante next season. The Attorney-General is much averse to 
society. While he is hospitable in a quiet way in his own home, he has never 
attended any of the social entertainments at the Executive Mansion, and has 
never worn a full dress coat. His residence is in Little Rock, with a country 
seat, " Hominy Hill," fifteen miles distant. 

William Freeman Vilas, who controls the administration of our vast postal 
service, is one of the most conspicuous figures in Western progressive De- 
mocracy, believing in tariff reform and the elevation of the public service. He 
was born in Vermont in 1840. His father, an eminent aud successful lawyer 
in the Green Mountain State, having a family of boys to rear and educate, 
settled himself in Madison, Wisconsin, in 185 1, where the State University 
had been established. The Postmaster- General was precocious in his studies 
and profession, having entered the University at thirteen, graduated, finished 
a law course, and won his first case in the Supreme Court at twenty. He 
served under Grant in the war, and thoi gh a staunch Democrat, was an en- 
thusiastic friend and admirer of the old hero. In his official position he is 
thorough and exact, wonderfully quick in perception, with a memory that notes 
and holds all details, and though decisive and firm, he is considerate and just. 



THE CAHINET. 45 

In society he is companionable, but like most men of his stamp he is averse to 
{general society, preferring his books and fireside and chosen friends. lie has 
a striking, professional presence. 

Mrs. Vilas, who was Anna Matilda Fox, is the daughter of a high-toned 
Irish born gentleman and physician, who was very prominent in Wisconsin 
from territorial days till his death in 1884, and held in great esteem through- 
out the State. Mrs. Vilas is a few years younger than her husband, is petite 
in figure and composed in manner. Her Drawing Rooms are very popular. 
Her eldest daughter, Cornelia, or Miss Nellie, as she is familiariiy called, is 
not quite twenty, but assists her mother in her social duties. She is a moder- 
ate blonde, with brown hair and a winning face. A quiet, unostentatious dig- 
nity adds greatly to her attractions. Miss Mary, or Mollie, the younger 
daughter, is at school, being thirteen. She is a remarkal)ly bright, attractive 
girl, and for two seasons has been president of a young misses' charitable en- 
terprise for Christmas. 

Among the guests of Mrs. Vilas, in Washington, Miss Gertrude Hoyne, 
daughter of Philip Hoyne, a prominent citizen of Chicago, spent several 
weeks during the past season, and was a general favorite. She is a brunette 
of rare beauty, with a grace and sweetness of manner that adds to beauty's 
charm. Miss Lucia Johnson, of Chicago, a cousin of Mrs. Vilas, was 
with lier in the holidays. Dr. Charles H. Vilas, brother of the Postmaster- 
General, and eminent as a physician, in fine practice in Chicago, is also a fre- 
quent visitor. 

The Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, is the moneyed man and 
entertainer of the Cabinet. He hailed from Conway, Mass., when he arrived 
in New York as a lad starting in life. He is about forty-seven. He reached 
a professional and political culmination in the brief space of eight years, as 
Corporation Counsel of New York city, as a leading spirit of the County De- 
mocracy and an implicable foe to the Tweed ring. He was one of the most 
active and aggressive managers of the Cleveland campaign of 1884, in New 
York. He is the youngest looking member of the Cabinet. He is a man of 
princely liberality in every deserving undertaking. In his department he 
has the devotion of all the employees. He has not made a single removal, 
except for flagrant cause. In society he is not only a liberal entertainer, but 
a man of very ready wit and fine conversational powers. 

Mrs. Flora Payne Whitney, daughter of the millionaire Senator from Ohio, 
— married in 1871, is a perfect hostess in presiding over the lavish social en- 
tertainments of her husiiand. She is a woman of warm affections and great 
kindness. A blonde of medium stature, graceful, and engaging in conversa- 
tion. She dresses elegantly and in excellent taste. Her daughter of thirteen, 



46 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Pauline, and two bojs are at school. The Secretary occupies the former resi- 
dence of President Arthur's Secretary of State. In order to adapt it to the 
social gatherings which he contemplated, he expended $50,000 in adding a 
ball room and making other improvements. The Secretary keeps up four houses 
one opposite the Vanderbilt's, in New York, presented to Mrs. Whitney by 
her brother, which cost $750,000, a commodious summer residence at Lenox, 
Massachusetts, his Washington residence and a country seat, "Grassland," 
of 103 acres, which cost $30,000, and $25,000 for improvements, three miles 
from the capital, and near the President's rural retreat, "Oak View." 

Secretary Whitney has characterized his official life with the crowning glory 
of having inaugurated the reconstruction of the Navy on the basis of modern 
ships and ordnance. He will be known as the father of the Modern Navy 
of the United States. He has also instituted certain reforms in the manage- 
ment of the navy-yards and purchase of supplies. 

Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus Lamar, who figures at the head of the Depart- 
ment of the Interior, represents the old regime of politics and society at the 
National Capital. He belongs to the line of old time Southern statesmen. 
He is a Georgian by birth and education. At different times he filled the 
chairs of mathematics, literature and law at the University of Mississippi. 
He was assistant editor of the Southern Revietv, which did more to prepare 
the Southern mind for sectional antagonisms than any other single influence 
He was a conspicuous light in Congress during the beginning of President 
Buchanan's term, and was the contemporary of the men who took the States 
out of the Union. He was a seceder, soldier and diplomat of the rebellion; 
a Representative in the Congress of the triumphant Union in 1873, and a 
Senator in 1877, until he entered the Cabinet. Secretary Lamar is a type of 
a Southern planter, tall, well-formed, with flowing hair. He is a man of ec- 
centricity, his spells of abstraction often causing him to find himself in amus- 
ing situations. 

The Secretary was in mourning when he took his place in the Cabinet. 
During the earlier days of the past season his house was open to the social 
world, his son's wife and his own beautiful daughter presiding. The Secre- 
tary's re-marriage during the first week in January added an accomplished 
and attractive wife to the interesting group of ladies in his family. 

The present Mrs. Lamar was Miss Henrietta Dean, daughter of James 
Dean, a wealthy planter and politician of Macon, Georgia. As a young lady 
she was a great belle, combining beauty, wit, and wealth, and had a host of 
suitors from all parts of the south. Mr. Lamar, who was a friend of her 
father, enjoyed her acquaintance when he resided at Macon, but he disclaims 
the romantic rivalry between himself and Judge Holt for the hand of the 



THE CABIN KT. 47 

beautiful Miss Dean. Judge William S. Holt, who married her, was one of 
the richest men in the State of Georgia when he died, having l)equeathed 
his wealth to his widow. One of his daughters is tlie wife of Captain 
R. E. Park, of Macon, another is the wife of W. H. Virgin, of Vineville, a 
suburb of Macon, and another is the wife of Col. J. E. Jones, also of Macon. 
The marriage taking place in the first week in January, the social gaities of 
the season were well advanced by the time the bridal couple reached Wash- 
ington. The Secretary's house, however, was thronged with callers at the 
two or three Drawing Rooms which his wife held. 

The first Mrs. Lamar was V^irginia Longstreet, daughter of Judge Augustus 
B. Longstreet, of Georgia, President of the University of South Carolina, and 
later of the University of Mississippi, author of "Georgia Scenes,'' a humor- 
ous work, and a cousin of Gen. James B. Longstreet, of Confederate fame. 
Her eldest child, Fannie, is the wife of Edward Mayes, Chancellor of the 
University of Mississippi, at Oxford, and of which his grandfather was atone 
time president. The second daughter, Augusta, is the wife of H. F. Heis- 
kell, a young and talented attorney of Memphis, Tennessee. The third 
daughter, Virginia, or Jennie, after her mother's death, in 1884, resided with 
her sister, Mrs. Heiskell, at Memphis, and made her debut there two winters 
ago. She occasionally visited Washington when her father was in the Senate, 
but formally entered Washington society in the Cabinet circle of young ladies 
at the opening of the past season. Miss Lamar has a poetical face, is a 
blonde of pronounced Southern type, tall and graceful, with a Ijeautiul mouth, 
and brown, expressive eyes. She is quick in conversation, and, though 
young, is entirely at home in society, and is a great belle. 

Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus Lamar, Jr., the only son and second child of 
Secretary Lamar, after finishing his education, engaged in mercantile pursuits 
at Oxford, Mississippi. He is now private secretary to his father. Li 1879 
he married Miss Katie Lester, daughter of a prominent physician of Oxford, 
and an ex officer of the Confederate service. Mrs. Lamar, junior, until the 
Secretary's second marriage, presided over his household Washington, and 
was very popular. She is a lady of artistic tastes. Her portraits in oil, or 
crayon, and paintings of ainmals, show decided genius. She has a studio in 
her house, and gives much time to art. Her son of six years is the fourth 
direct descendant of the name Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus in the Lamar 
family. The Secretary, and his bright grandson, amuse themselves nights at 
fencing, boxing, and wrestling. 



48 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER VII. 
The Diplomatic Corps. 

The diplomatic circle — its personnel— rules of precedence, cere- 
mony, AND etiquette — THE DEAN OF THE CORPS — THE CEREMONIAL 
functions EXERCISED BY COURTESY BY THE DEAN — MR., MRS. AND 
MADMOISELLE PRESTON — VISCOUNT AND VISCOUNTESS DE NOGUEIRAS — 
BARON DE FAVA — MR. MELSBROECK — COUNT AND COUNTESS D'ARSCHOT — 
SIR LIONEL WEST — THE MISSES WEST— MR. AND MRS. EDWARDES — SENOR 
AND SENORA ROMERO — MR. AND MADAME DE STRUVE — BARON AND 
BARONESS ROSEN — MR. GREGER — MR. ROUSTAN— COUNT SALA. 

^^ 

U"¥p^IPLOMATIC ministers of thirty of the greater and lesser powers of 

f^/f l^oth hemispheres reside near the government of the United States, 
\y^ and constitute one of the interesting features of the higher social life of 
the American Capital. The personnel of the Diplomatic corps comprises 
twenty-five Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, two Min- 
isters Resident, and two charges d' Affaires, with sixteen First Secretaries, 
sixteen general Secretaries, three counsellors, three chancellors, three Military 
attaches, two Naval attaches, seventeen diplomatic attaches, two translators, 
and one interpreter of legation. 

The rank of Ambassador, the only one having the representative character, 
does not appear in the Diplomatic Corps at Washington; that of Envoy, ac- 
credited to the President of the United States, being the highesf. The rank 
of Ambassador is recognized by the Constitution, but the title, with its inter- 
national significance, has not been given to a diplomatic minister of the Uni- 
ted States to a foreign court, and therefore Ministers of such court at Wash- 
ington have been of less rank. It is the practice of nations to appoint recip- 
rocally diplomatic agents of equal grade. To prevent rivalries among repre- 
sentatives of different nations of unequal rank in the scale of international im- 
portance residing at Washington the legations are officially designated in al- 
phabetical order. This is in accordance with the seven rules of diplomatic 
precedence enunciated by the Congress of Vienna, 1815, and of the Congress 
of Aix la Chapelle, 1881, and recognized by the United States. This estab- 
lishes three classes. Envoys, Ministers, Ministers Resident, or other persons, 
accredited to sovereigns, and Charges d'Affaires, accredited to Ministers 
of Foreign Affairs, ad hoc or per interim. Under the same authority, the or- 
der of individual precedence of diplomatic ministers at Washington is de- 
termined by seniority of consecutive residence from date of presenting cre- 
dentials. The senior under these regulations is known as the Dean or Doyen 
of the Diplomatic Corps. Wherever this brilliant assemblage of the repre- 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 49 

sentatives cf crowned heads and foreign rulers appears in a body the Dean 
is at their head and presents his colleagues upon all official or ceremonial oc- 
casions. There are also a few foreigners of culture and means resident at the 
American capital for pleasure, instruction, or for special objects or duty. 

The Ministers and Secretaries and their ladies constitute a social circle of 
their own. They are regarded in the light of guests of the nation, and hold 
quasi-official relations with the Department of State. On all occasions of 
state ceremonials or e iquette, when participants, they appear in biilliant 
court costume, and form part of the suite of the President. 

The members of the Diplomatic Corps at Washington are governed by cer- 
tain rules of etiquette, established by usage among themselves and with the 
Government, prominently the exchange of visits, the omiasionof which might 
lead to embarrassment in the transaction of business. In many instances the 
chiefs of legations and their secretaries belong to the titled classes of their 
countries, and are often men not only of inherited rank, but of statesmanship, 
learning and culture. Their ladies in many cases also represent prominent 
degrees in the order of feminine precedence and are types of form, beauty, 
accomplishments and grace of their country women. 

When an arriving Minister enters upon his duties he is received by the Sec- 
retary of State at the Executive Mansion, and is presented to the President, 
to whom he delivers his letter of credence with appropriate remarks, to which 
the President briefly replies. There are also certain obligations of etiquette 
which are observed by the corps. Its members in a body make a call of con- 
gratulation upon a new President soon after his inauguration. They also call 
formally at the Executive Mansion on New Year's day upon a formal note of 
invitation from the Secretary of State to each legation that the President 
would be pleased to see its members and their ladies. They appear in full 
dress, and are received in private audience by the President after the Cabinet 
and before the other members of the Government. They are then entertained 
at a diplomatic breakfast by the Secretary of State at his residence. 

On the same day they also make it a ceremonial duty to call, but not in a 
body, upon the Vice-President, or President pro tern, of the Senate, there 
being a vacancy in the former, the Chief Justice and members of the Supreme 
Court and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. They call at the 
houses of SenatorB, or Representatives, with whom they are acquainted. 
This, however, is optional. Eor general occasions of etiquette the rule of the 
corps is for strangers always to ca'.l first. The last arriving member of the 
corps makes the first call on all his colleagues. After a diplomat has been re- 
ceived by the President, he calls at the house of the Secretary of State. In 
Englan<l and some other European countries when there is a new Secretary for 
4 



50 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Foreign Affairs, he announces tlie fact of his appointment, and that he would 
l)e glad to receive the members of the Diplomatic Corps. They then call. 
The Secretary then returns the call. As between Diplomats and other mem- 
bers of the Cabinet other than of State, the last to enter upon his duties makes 
the first call. There has always been a disputed point as to the order of pre- 
cedence between Diplomats and Senators. The first rule was that a diplomat 
upon his arrival, after being presented, should make the first call upon a 
Senator, if he desired to meet him socially. This was never cordially re^ 
ceived. The rule next in vogue was the same as applied to Cabinet ministers. 
The rule now conceded is to make the first call on a Senator even if the dip- 
lomat arrived last. This extension of the circle of calls of etiquette, how- 
ever, is optional. Senators in many instances would not make first call. 
A diploma.ic minister never calls upon the President, unless invited to do so 
or by special appointment, intercourse being through the Secretary of State. 
It is customary for the President to entertain the chief members and ladies of 
the Corps at a reception, and at a state dinner, once during the season. 
This is in recognition of the sovereigns or Executive authorities of the coun- 
tries represented, and not to the Ministers as individuals. The President ac- 
cepts no invitations in return. 

The ceremonial and official relations between the Diplomatic Corps as a 
body or as individuals, and the Executive Department of the government 
were inaugurated by the first administration, and have not varied since. The 
claim of personal intercourse was brought up by Count Moustier, the French 
Minister, but was promptly disposed of by President Washington, who direct- 
ed that all questions of diplomacy must first go to the chief of the department 
of Foreign Afifairj-. 

The rules of social intercourse which apply to the ministers, apply to their 
ladies. This is the case within or beyond the circle of the corps. The ladies 
of the legations, however, as a rule do not much appear in the general soci- 
ety of the capital. The intercourse of the ladies of the different legations 
among themselves is almost entirely of a strictly ceremonious character. The 
greater part of their social life except on occasions of etiquette or ceremony 
on the part of the government when they appear with their legations is con- 
fined to a circle of personal acquaintances. 

The place of ceremonial precedence as Dean of the Corps Diplomatique is 
held by Mr. Stephen Preston of the Republic of Hayti. It is a coincidence 
of historic interest that the dean at the American Capital should represent the 
most thriving portion of the historic Hispaniola of Columbus, the site of the 
first Spanish colony, for a long time the seat of Spanish power in the New 
World, whence were fitted out the romantic explorations and conquests of 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 5 I 

Mexico, Peru, the Islands of the Antilles and the Spanish Main and the 
first afier the United States to throw off early European domination. The 
RcimLlic of Hayli, about the size of the State of New Hampshire, and with 
about two hundred tliousand (500,000) more jiopulation, occupying the west- 
ern portion of the island, holds intimate commercial relations with the United 
States. Minister Preston was born at Port au Prince, and was judge of the 
Court of Assize when sent in 1870 by President Nissage Saget to Washington 
as Minister Resident. In 1873 he was raised to the full grade of Envoy. 
From 1884-6 he was accredited to the governments at London and Paris, 
but retained his diplomatic relations at Washington. 

Madame Preston was M'lle Rose Alberga, of Kingston, Jamaica. She has 
two beautiful daughters. Madamoiselle Marie, a young lady, and M'lle Rose 
Antoinette, who, having been educated in New York, is finishing in Paris, and 
will be the debutante of the Diplomatic Corps next season. The Minister's 
eldest son, Charles A. Preston, Secretary of Legation, married Margaret 
Hunt, of New York, where he resides. Stephen C. Preston is with his father 
in Washington. Henry A. and Edward Preston, and a younger son and 
daughter are with their mother in Europe. The Minister's children have all 
been educated in the United States, and, like their mother, are exceptionably 
handsome. The Minister himself is a man of very imposing presence, and 
courtly manner. His native tongue is French, but he speaks English fluently. 

The Viscount des Nogueiras, who began his diplomatic residence at Wash- 
ington in 1878, represents Portugal, a Kingdom about the size of Indiana, 
with the population of Pennsylvania. He speaks English fluently, and is one 
of the most popular diplomats at Washington. He was secretary of the gov- 
ernment of Fayal 1851, and Aveiro 1856. Was member of the chamber of 
Deputies, five times in the Cortes, Charge d'Afifaires in Peru and Chili and 
later Envoy to the United States. He is a diplomat and author, and about 
sixty-three years of age. 

Both himself and the Viscountess come of the most ancient and aristocratic 
blood of Portugal. His family name is Moniz de Piethencourt, he being the 
eleventh grandson of Manoel Affonso Sanha, gentleman of the Court of the 
Infant D. Fernando, Duke de Vizen, father of King D. Manoel. The family 
de Bethencourt has lived in the Island of Madeira ever since its discovery, 
and the name of de Bethencourt comes from an illustrious French family that 
lived in the Canary Islands, whose first conqueror was Jean de Bethencourt, 
Baron de St. Martin-lc-Gaillard, Lord Chamberlain of John, Due de Bour- 
gogTie. (Document in Latin, written in 1282.) 

The Viscountess Maria da Gra9a de Sousa de I'ereira Coatinho, belongs to 
the house of de Sousa, one of the most illustrious and ancient of Portugal, 



52 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and of which she is the direct representative. It originated in a natural son 
of King D. Diniz — by nnme Affonso Chichorro. Her ancestors have always 
had the highest position in the kingdom, and were Lords of the House of 
Villar de Perdizes, in the northern part of Portugal. 

M'lle Mathilde Isabel de Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt, is a singer of won- 
derful promise, her voice being a rich contralto. She is now in Paris, under- 
going a course of musical instruction and training. Antonio Fernando de 
Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt, the Viscount's eldest son, a very bright young 
man, assists his father in the duties of the legation. The other children are 
-Vlexandre de Sousa and Jacintho de Sousa Moniz de Bethencourt. 

The representative of Italy, a Kingdom as large as Arizona, with one half 
the total population of the United States, is Baron de Fava, of a noble House 
of the land of blue skies, art, and song. The Baron and Baroness de Fava, 
the latter now absent in Europe, have been favorably known in society during 
their residence at Washington since l88i. Secretary Count Albert de Foresta 
has also been absent during the past season. Mr. E. Ferrara Dentice d'Ac- 
cadia is the second Secretary. 

Belgium, the charming little kingdom of Leopold II, not quite the size of 
Maryland, with six times the population, is diplomatically represented by M. 
de Bounder de Melsbroeck, a native of Brussels. He entered the diplomatic 
service as attache at Lisbon, and rose successively to assistant secretary of 
Legation to the Holy See at Rome, Counsellor at the Hague, Florence and 
Paris, Minister Resident in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, and Envoy to the 
United States in i88i. He received a vote of thanks of his government for 
services during the Franco-Prussian war, and negotiated at Paris three con- 
ventions respecting trademarks and postal affairs. 

Le Comte Gaston d'Arschot, Counsellor of Legation of Belgium, born in 
Brussels, is descended from one of the most celebrated families of Europe- 
The Trophees du Duch^ du Brabant records that in 1096 the daughter of Jean 
the first duke de Brabant, married Arnold, Count d'Arschot. The duke gave 
his daughter as her wedding do^vry, the town of d'Arschot, and adjacent ter- 
ritory. In the crusades the head of the house of d'Arschot joined Godfrey of 
Bouillion in the wars against the Infidels. The grandfather of the present 
Count was one of the founders of Belgian Independence in 1813. The Count 
himself inheriting the valor of his ancestors, after completing his education 
in i860, entered the service of Pope Pius IX, in the Papal Zouaves, where he 
remained until 1866. He was then placed in command of a regiment of Bel- 
gian chasseurs till 1868, when he entered the Diplomatic service as Attach^ 
to the Legation at Washington. He served successively as Secretary at Mu- 
nich, Berne, Paris, and London, and as Counsellor at Washington, 



THE DIPLOMATI CORPS. 



53 



The Countess d'Arschot is an American lady of beauty and accomplish- 
ments. She is the daughter of the distinguished engineer, C. E. Dctmold, 
who built the New York Crystal Palace, in the fifties, and was interested in 
coal and railroad operations in Pennsylvania. 

The Honorable Sir Lionel S. Sackville West, K. C. M. G., represents the 
governmert of Queen Victoria at Washington, The kingdom of Great Brit- 
ain with an area equal to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Dela- 
ware, and three times the population, wields imperial sway over 3,000,000 
square miles in Australasia, 1,000,000 in Asia, 250,000 in Africa, and 3,500,- 
000 square miles in North America, the latter nearly the entire area of the 
United States, but mostly uninhabitable, with an aggregate of over five times 
their population. Sir Lionel West is in the line of descent from Sir Tlionias 
West, third Lord Delaware, who was Governor General of Virginia, and from 
whom the Delaware river received its name. The Minister is the fifth son of 
the fifth Earl Delaware His mother was Lady Elizabeth Sackville, descended 
from a Norman family at the time of the conqueror, and daughter and co- 
heir of John Frederick, third Duke of Dorset. In 1S45 he was assistant pr6cis 
writer to Earl Aberdeen when Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Was attach^ at 
Lisbon and Berlin, Secretary at Turin, Madrid, Berlin, and Paris, often act- 
ing as charg^ d'affaires. Was Envoy at Paris during the absence of the Am- 
bassador, and later Envoy at the Argentine Republic, Spain and the United 
States in 1881. He is a Knight of the order of St. Michael and St. George. 

The ladies of the minister's family are his three beautiful and accomplished 
daughters, Misses Victoria, Flora and Amalia West. The eldest presides 
over his household, keeps the accounts, arranges the social entertainments, 
invites the guests, and is in every way supreme. When she arrived in Wash- 
ington she was but seventeen years of age. Born in France, as were her sis- 
ters, and all educated in a French convent,'' she could not speak English, 
which, however, she has since acquired, and her only experience in English 
life, was a few weeks visit as the guest of Lady Dorljy, at Knowsley, Lan- 
cashire, on her way to the United States. L'pon her arrival she was intro- 
duced to Washington society by a ball given in her honor by her father, 
the Minister at the British Legation. During the past season Miss Amalia 
West, the youngest, made her debut, the Minister giving a grand ball in honor 
of that social event. 

Hun. Henry George Edwardes, First Secretary of Legation, is the tliird 
son and brother of the present Baron of Kensington, who was Gladstone's 
"whip" in the late administration. He is descended from Tudor Trevor, of 
Wales, Lord of Hereford, A. D. 907, and is also in the same line of the fa- 
mous Earls of Hidland and Warwick. Mr. Eilwardes, who is forty three 



54 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

years of age, was Secretary at Pekin and Buenos Ayres, 1885, and joined the 
Legation at Washington, 1887. 

Mrs. Edwardes was CeceHa Eleuthera Douglass, daughter of Charles J. 
Bayley, Esq., C. B , Governor General of the Bahamas. She is very beau- 
tiful, and a great favorite in a very select circle of fashionable life. 

Horace A. Helyar, Esq., the Second Secretary, a graduate of Trinity Col- 
lege, and Mrs. Helyar, are very prominent in fashionable life. 

Ernest B. Lehman, Esq., Third Secretary, son of a prominent London 
merchant, and Mrs. Lehman, are also favorites in a large social circle. Cecil 
A. Spring Rice, Esq., Acting Third Secretary, a grandson of Lord Monteagle, 
Chancellor of the Exchequer in Lord Melbourne's administration, was Private 
Secretary to Lord Granville, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Rice retains 
his place in the Foreign Office, London, and is in Washington but temporarily. 

The sister Republic of the United States of Mexico, which covers an area 
equal to the aggregate size of Texas, New IVIexico, Arizona, California, and 
Nevada, once Mexican territory, with one sixth the population of the United 
States, is ably represented by Seiior Don Matias Romero Born in Oajaca, 
in the State of that name, of one of the oldest Mexican families, and having 
finished a course of law, he entered the Department of Foreign Affairs as Mer- 
itorio. He united his fortunes as a young man with Benito Juarez, afterwards 
President. He was private secretary to Ocampo, the chief minister to the 
Juarez government, and in 1859 was made Secretary of Legation at Wash- 
ington. He was Charge d' Affaires until 1863, when he returned to Mexico, 
and became Colonel and Chief of Staff to general-in-chief Porferio Diaz in the 
operations against the invading French, but the same year was sent to the 
United States as Envoy, remaining until 1868. During this time he rendered 
most important services to his country by building up a closer and better un- 
derstanding Ijetween the two governments. Until 18S2 when he arrived in 
Washington the second time as minister, he performed most distinguished ser- 
vices in the cabinet, and was one of the foremost spirits in promoting the 
stability of Republican forms of government in Mexico, in strengthening in- 
ternational relations with the United States, and in increasing the facilities of 
trade. 

Senora Dona Lucrecia Allen de Romero, the wife of the Mexican Minister, 
is one of the most attractive and hospitable ladies in Washington. She is the 
daughter of W. E. Allen, a Virginian by birth, and a Philadelphian by residence. 
Her mother was Miss Ackley, of Philadelphia, where Mrs. Romero was born. 
Her receptions in the season are among the most brilliant in Washington. 
First Secretary Seiior Don Cayetano Romero, the youngest brother of the 
Minister, is a cultivated and accomplished gentleman. He is a superior pianist. 
His wife is a native of New Yorlc. 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 55 

Second Secretary Senor Don Vincente Morales, having held the same posi- 
tion at Rome, was transferred to the United States. Seiiora Dona Guada- 
lupe Duran de Morales is a daughter of an officer in the Mexican army. Sec- 
retaries Senors Don Francisco de P. Pasalagua and Manuel Pacheco y Schi- 
affino, and attache Sefior Don Enrique Santibane are very capable young gen- 
theinen, just entering the career of diplomats. Senor Pacheco y Schiaffino has 
been promoted and transferred to London. Edward Gibbon, son of an Eng- 
lish father and Mexican mother, who preceded him there, will succeed him 
here. 

Russia, the European area of whicli is less than two thirds tliat of the Uni- 
ted Slates, with a population one fourth greater, and including her Asiatic 
possessions, covers more than double the size, and has one third more popu- 
lation than the United States, is represented by Mr. Charles de Struve. He 
is the son of Wilhelm de Struve, of an Altoona German family of prominence, 
and a great astronomer, who went to Russia, was first Director of the 
-Imperial Observatory at Pulkowo, near St. Petersburg, and was succeeded 
by his eldest son, Otto. Minister de Struve began his career in the Foreign 
Office at St. Petersburg. His familiarity with the intricacies of oriental diplo- 
macy led to his assignment to a mission to Central Asia, where he was diplo- 
matic adviser to the Russian Governor General of Turkestan. Thence he 
went to Japan, pending certain important diplomatic events between that em- 
pire and Russia, remaining eight years. In 18S2 he was transferred to Wash- 
ington. He speaks the Sclavic and several languages of Asia, but has not 
entirelv mastered English. He has returned to Russia on leave of absence 
with the laurels of a new treaty just concluded. 

Madame de Struve, a woman of great force of character and ability, is a 
pure type of a Russian lady. She is the daughter of General Annenkoflf, 
Governor-General of Kiew, lately elevated to the high office of Comptroller 
General of the Empire. Their eldest daughter. Vera de Struve, is eleven. 
Madame de Struve has been at Nice during the past season with her children. 
The receptions and balls of the Russian Legation, which occupies the stately 
mansion, formally the residence of Governor Shepherd, are always among the 
most Ijrilliant of the season. The Madame, who speaks English admirably, 
is a woman of great activity, about forty-five, though grey. When here, she 
daily takes lier six children out driving, attends the Jockey Club races, and 
it is said by her friends is an expert at the American game of poker. 

During the absence of Mr. de Struve, Baron Roman Rosen, Consul Gen- 
eral at New York, will act as Charge. The ]>aron belongs to a long line of 
Swedish noliles of Estonia, one of the Baltic Provinces, conquered and an- 
nexed to Russia during the wars of Peter the Great. In 1868 Baron Rosen 



56 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

entered the Home Foreign Office, was First Secretary at Japan, and subse- 
quently was made Consul General at New York. He is very handsome, with 
a face resembling the pictures of the Imperial members of the house of Ro- 
manoff. 

Baroness Rosen was Elizabeth OdintsofT, of St. Petersburg, daughter ol 
General Odintsoff of the Russian army, and Military Governor of Nijni Nov- 
gorod, the great oriental entrepot of Asiatic and European inland trade and. 
commerce on the Volga. The Baroness is young, very beautiful, and very 
popular in Washington society, where she is well known through the ad inter- 
im residence of the Baron. She was one of the prominent figures at the bap- 
tism of the infant of Mrs. Whitney, wife of the Secretary of the Navy. 

Second Secretary Mr. Alexandre Greger is also very popular in Washing- 
ton. He has a beautiful Russian Drosky, Russian horses, of the celebrated 
Orloff itock, with a pedigree of one hundred and twenty years, and Russian 
groom, in native livery. He is an expert horseman, and is one of the leading 
spirits of the paper hunts which afford a great deal of spring amusement to the 
higher official diplomatic and fashionable social circles. After graduating at 
the University, he entered the Foreign Office at St. Petersburg, and having 
spent 1883 in foreign travel, was assigned to the Legation at Washington. 

The European Republic of France, sixty thousand square miles smaller 
than the State of Texas, with twenty-four times its population, has for its Di- 
plomatic representative M. Theodore Roustan, of an influential family of Pro- 
vence, Minister Roustan began his career in the consular service of his 
country, was minister to Tunis, and in 1882 was sent as Envoy to the United 
States. His services in Tunis were particularly important in the permanent 
establishment of French power in northern Africa. 

Count Maurice Sala, First Secretary, comes from an Italian family which be- 
came French early in the last century. He served as a volunteer, thougli very 
young, in the Franco-Prussian war. He was afterwards in the Foreign Office, 
and for a few years in Servia when he was sent to the United States. 
Countess Sala was Emily Sanford daughter of Major John Sanford, U. S. 
army. She has been in Paris with her young son Antoine, and will return 
with the count in the fall. Captain Lottin, military attache from Etat-Major 
d'Artillerie has been promoted to Chef d'Escadron since his sojourn in the 
United States. Mr. Jules Boeufe, Chancellor, was transferred to Washington 
from New Orleans. 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 57 

CHAPTER \'III. 

The Diplomatic Corps — Continued. 

Colonel frey — mr. mrs. and miss carter— mr. de weckherlin— 
senor flores — mr. von al\ enslehen, haron zedtwitz, and mr. jen- 
isch — senor uecekra — mr. and mrs. kuki and secretary akahane 
— senor peralia — mr. .\nd mrs. de reuterskiold — senor quesada — 

BARON AND HARONESS D'ITAJUHA — SENOR MURUAGA — CHANG YEN HOON 
AND HIS ORIENTAL SUITE — DOCTOR CORRAL — DON DOMINGO AND SENORA 
DE GANA— MAVROYENI BEY — CHEVALIER VON TAVERA — SENOR OLAVARRIA 
— MR LOVENORN — THE REPRESENT.VIIVES OF SALVADOR, URUQUAV, AND 
GUATEMALA. 

tOLLOWING tlie accepted order of arrangement of the personnel of the 
circle of the Diplomatic Ministers of foreign countries at Washington, 
the interesting story is resumed at the Alpine Republic of Switzerland, 
not quite half the size of Indiana, with one third more inhabitants, which has 
in her diplomatic representative a gentleman entitled to the special con- 
sideration of this Government and the American people. 

That personage is Col. Emile Frey, a native of the Canton of Basel, born 
in 1838, descended from a patrician family, distinguished in military and 
civil affairs and dating back to 1482, Four generations have served with the 
Swiss troops of the French army. His father was a Swiss Colonel-Brigadier. 
His mother was Harriet von Chatoney, descended from Hans von Chatoney, 
the sturdy Burgomaster of Morat durmg tlie siege of that stronghold by 
Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, whom the Swiss so disastrously routfed. 
Col. Frey, after finishing his education at the University of Jena, came to the 
United States as the war of the rebellion was breaking out, and enlisted as a 
]>rivate in the 24th Illinois Volunteers, Col. Frederick Hecker. This regi- 
ment formed part of Gen. U. S. Grant's First Brigade Soon after Captain 
Frey recruited a company among the Swiss of Madison and Sinclair counties, 
Illinois, and joined the 82(1 Illinois Volunteers, of which he became Major. 
He served in the campaign of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettys- 
burg. At the battle of Gettysburg he was taken prisoner, and for eighteen 
months was held as hostage for Captain Gordon, of the Confederates, who 
was condemned to death. Immediately after the war, 1865, he returned to 
his native land and entered public life. He was member and President of the 
government of the Canton of Baselland, 1866-72. Member of the National 
Council (Congress) 1872-82, of which he was President one year. He was 
also deputized to receive Ex-President Grant upon his arrival in Switzerland- 



58 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Colonel Frey joined the diplomatic corps, as Minister Plenipotentiary at 
Washington, in 1882. He is a widower. 

Major Karl Kloss, Secretary of Legation, whose sister was the wife of 
Minister Frey, is a major of Swiss artillery. His father was a refugee from 
Poland after the revolution of 1831. 

The insular kingdom of the Pacific, Hawaii, the size of Connecticut, with 
one-tenth its population, is represented by Mr. H. A. P. Carter, who bears 
a striking resemblance to the pictures of the Prince Consort of England. He 
was born in Honolulu, of American parents. His father, J. O. Carter, of 
Charlestown, Massachusetts, carried on large commercial operations as early 
as 1830, with Mexico, California, and the coast, as far as Alaska, and with the 
Pacific Islands, finally settling at Honolulu. His mother was Hannah Tru- 
fant, from near Augusta, Maine, whose parents were residents at Honululu. 
Minister Carter entered the diplomatic service as Envoy, 1878, to England, 
and served successively at the courts of Germany, France, Portugal, and the 
United States, 1883. 

The wife of Minister Carter was Sybil A. Judd, daughter of Dr. Gerritt P. 
Judd, a lay member and physician of the American Board of Foreign Missions 
to the Sandwich Islands in 1826, and a man of great distinction and influence 
in the island. He was raised by the king Kamehamaha (the lonely one) 
to the post of political adviser, and later was chief of the government and 
founder and organizer of its present form, which supplemented the prior sav- 
age institutions. The minister's daughter, Frances Isabelle, or Miss Belle 
Carter, is a charming young lady. His second daughter, Agnes, is at school 
at Northampton, Mass., where she will graduate next year. A still younger 
daughter, under a governess, is at home. The eldest son, Charles Carter, is a 
student at the Michigan University, and will graduate this year, and enter the 
profession of law. The second son, George, is a student at the Sheffield sci- 
entific school of Yale. He is one of the foremost athletes of the college, Tje- 
longs to the University crew, and the foot-ball team. 

Mr. G. de Weckherlin, the minister Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Neth* 
lands, about half the area of West Virginia, with seven times its people, is a 
native of the Hague After receiving an education at the Gymnasium, and 
finishing at the University of Leyden, as Doctor of Laws, he entered, 1864, the 
Foreign Office. During the war of 1866 he was sent on a special duty to Ger- 
many; was Secretary at Vienna during the pendency of the Luxembourg ques- 
tion; Charge d' Affaires to the Holy See, and Secretary at Brussels. In 1872, 
returning to Rome, he was Charg6 of the Itahan government. He was trans- 
ferred to the Asiatic service as Minister Resident at Japan. After several 
years traveling in Burmah, India, and Africa, he was appointed, 1882, Minis- 
ter Resident at Washington, and two yea's later raised to his present grade. 



THE DU'LO.MATIC CORPS. 59 

The Amlean Republic of Ecuador, perched amid the peaks of Colopaxi, 
Chimborazo and Cayanibe, and astride the equatorial meridian, the size of 
Texas, with the population of New Jersey, takes its place in the Diplomatic 
Corps in the person of Sefior D. Antonie Flores. 

Minister Flores, born in Quito, is the son of General Juan Jos6 Flores, the 
founder of the Republic of Ecuador, and its first President. He has been 
Minister to Peru, Chili, United States, France, England, the Holy See, (ier- 
many, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium, and for the second time, 1884, to the 
United States. He has been in the Senate of Ecuador, and served under his 
father, at the first taking of Cuayacjuil in 1863, where lie was wounded. In 
1883 he commanded a brigade at the siege and attack of Guayaquil, and was 
one of the first to enter the town, contributing greatly to the success of the un- 
dertaking by his personal bravery and daring. He is a scholar, i)oet, and a 
"litterateur '" 

Minister Flores was married in 1872 to the very accomplished and beauti- 
ful daughter, deceased at twenty-three years of age, of Domingo I,. Ruiz, for- 
merly a planter in Cuba, and naturalized an American citizen. Her mother 
was Mme. Pauline Cerault de Ruiz, a niece of Madame Chegaray whose name 
has been venerated in so many households in the United States for three 
quarters of a century. Madame Flores, born in Havanna, and educated in 
the United States, spoke several languages, was a fine musician, and received 
great attention in Washington society. 

The German Empire, not quite as large as the States of Colorado and Ne- 
vada, with a population nearly as great as the United States, has for its Envoy 
a most accomplished and courtly gentleman in Mr. H. von Alvensleljen. He 
bears a strong resemblance to the pictures of the Crown Prince. He belongs 
to one of the oldest noble families of Altmark, distinguished alike in the mili- 
tary and civil service of Prussia, and the Empire and holds estates which have 
been inherited through six centuries. 

M. von Alvensleben was Secretary of Legation at Washington 1867-71. 
After returning and serving in the foreign office at Berlin, he was made First 
Secretary at St. Petersburg, Consul General at Bucharest, Envoy to the 
Hague, and in 18S4 to the United States. 

The Counsellor of Legation, Baron von Zedtwitz, of an ancient .Saxon 
family, is a captain of the Saxon regiment of Cariiiniers. He lias been .Sec- 
retary of Legation at St Petersburg, Japan, Stockholm, and 18S6 United 
States. He is an accomplished pianist. 

Mr. M. Riicker Jenisch, Attache, is from an old Hamburg family of wealth 
and influence. He is a lieutenant of Uhlans, his regiment being stationed at 
Pottsdam, the favorite rural retreat of Frederick the Great. He entered the 



6o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

diplomatic service in 1886, and was sent to Washington. Chancellor P. W. 
Biiddecke has been connected with the legation at Washington for thirty 
years. 

Senor D. Ricardo Becerra, Envoy since 1884, Senora and Senorita de Be- 
cerra, Mr. F. Mutis Duran, Secretary, Sefiors D. Luis Tanco and Francisco 
L. Becarra, Attache's, compose an interesting diplomatic group, representing 
the Cordilleran Republic of Columbia, which also embraces the isthmian strip 
of Panama, which connects the northern and southern continents of the 
American hemisphere. 

Japan, the "Sunrise Kingdom," the size of Dakota, with two thirds the 
population of the United States, is represented by Mr. Jusanmi Riuichi Kuki, 
a gentleman of education, culture, and travel, and thirty-five years of age. At 
sixteen he was Superintendent of Education in his native district. At nine- 
teen he was employed in similar duties by the Central Government. At 
twenty he was sent to Europe to investigate the political, industrial, and edu- 
cational science ofthe occidental world, and upon his return rendered important 
services in the re-organization of the Government, filling various high offices 
of state. In 1884 he was made Envoy to the United States. Madame Hatsu 
Kuki, a Japanese lady of intelligence and beauty, is very popular in Washing- 
ton social circles. She has acquired the English language, ancj has adopted 
American styles of dress, in which she exhibits excellent taste. 

Secretary Shiro Akaban6 was educated in the United States, and returning 
home in 1876, served on the tariff committee of the foreign department during 
treaty revision. He subsequently entered the diplomatic service as Secretary 
at Berlin, serving successively in Corea, at St. Petersburg, part of the time 
acting as minister, and was assigned to Washington in 1885. He speaks En- 
glish fluently. 

Attache Kamenosuke Misaki was educated in English at Osaka, and the 
Tokio University, and admitted to the bar. He entered politics as a conserv- 
ative and defended the new Constitution in the native press, subsequently ed- 
iting the newspaper organ of the conservatives, and lectured on jurisprudence. 
In 1S84 he was appointed to the legation to enable him to prosecute his 
knowledge of law. 

Naval Attache Lieutenant Makoto Saito graduated from the naval academy 
of Japan in 1879, and served in the navy. In 1884 he was assigned to the 
legation at Washington, and in 1 886 accompanied the Japanese minister o' 
the Navy on his tour of naval inspection in the United States and England. 

Attache Kikujiro Saigo, is a son of General Takamori Saigo, the warrior 
and statesman of Japan, who was instrumental in overthrowing the Tycoon 
and restoring the imperial government of the Mikado. Young Saigo was 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 6 1 

educaied in the United Slates, 1872. In 1878, liis fatlier having retired with 
his followers to his jirovince Satsunia, young Saigo commanded ])art of his army 
in a number of battles against the governmental forces, in one of which he 
lost a leg. Having after his father's death surrendered, 1885, he was made 
Attach6 at Washington. His uncle is minister of the Japanese Navy. 

Mr. Masakazu Noma, now twenty years of age, was educated in English, 
after serving as clerk in the Foreign Office at Tokio, was made Attache at 
Washington in 1S85. 

Senor D. Manuel M, Peralta, forty years of age, though absent during the 
past season, has figured prominently as the representative of Costa Rica, a 
country not as large as West Virginia and one fourth the population. Hav- 
ing served as Secretary at I'aiis and London, and on a special mission to Pope 
Pio IX, he was made Minister Resident to the United States, 1876. He 
signeil, towards the close of tlie Grant administration, a treaty of neutrality of 
the Nicarauguan canal and its control by an international board of directors. 
He was Envoy to Belgium, France, and Spain, andtlie United States, 1885. He 
also represented Salvador. In the International Canal Congress at Paris, 
1879, under Lesseps, he sustained the American delegates in favor of the 
Nicarauguan route. He belongs to a number of geographical and scientific 
societies, and is an author and historian of high ability. Senor D. Carlos 
Saenz is Attacli^ of legation. 

Mr. L. de Rcuterskiold, is the Envoy of the Kingdom of Sweden and Nor- 
way, which covers an area a trifle larger than Texas, with four times the popu- 
lation. He is a native of Stockholm, born in 1843, a graduate of the famous 
University of Upsala. In 1863 he entered the <hpIomatic service as Attache 
at Paris, and served successively in the home Foreign Office, Secretary at St. 
Petersburg, First Secretary at Paris, and in 1S84 Envoy to the United States. 
The minister is a pure type of a Scandinavian. He is a favorite of the royal 
family of his country, in the summer of 18S6 having accompanied theni in 
their summer journeyings. Madame de Reuterskiold is a native of Stockholm. 
They were married in 1877, and thereafter resided at the capitals of Europe, 
where M. de Reuterskiold was in the diplomatic service of his country, and 
were very jiopular in fashionable circles. In Washington society the Minister 
of the United Kingdoms of the Scandinavian 'Peninsula and his charming 
wife are also in great demand. 

Secretary Charles Woxen, a native of the Norwegian capital, served as 
Attacli/s and Secretary at the different capitals of Europe, prior to his arrival 
in the United States. Mr. Sigurd Ibsen, Attach^, is a son of the celebrated 
Norwegian poet and dramatist, Henrick Ibsen. 

The .Argentine Republic, which traverses thirty degrees of latitude in the 



62 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

extreme southern portion of South America, covering an area equal to one 
third the United States, with one twenty fifth their population, has for its 
Envoy Senor D. Vincente G. Quesada, a gentleman of high cultivation. He 
is a widower. His daughter is very handsome and accomplished. 

The great empire of the American hemisphere, Brazil, but one ninth less 
in area than the United States, with one fifth the population, is represented 
by Marcos Antonio de Araujo, Baron de Itajuba. He was born 1842, at 
Hamburg, where his father was then acting as Brazilian Charg6 d' Affaires. 
With his father's promotion as Minister fo Berlin, in 1851, he proceeded to 
that city, attended the University of Berlin, and graduated at Gottingen. 
Immediately after, 1863 he became Attach^ of the Brazilian legatit^n at the 
German capital. In 1866 he served in the Foreign Office at Rio de Janeiro, 
1867 was Attach^ at Paris, and 1874 First Secretary. In the meantime he was 
acting Secretary to the Viscount de Itajuba, (his father,) Brazilian Arbitrator 
in the Alabama Claims before the Geneva Tribunal, in 1871-72. 

The Viscount de Itajuba, having retired 1881, Baron de Itajuba was made 
Chargd d'Affaires in France, 1884 he was sent as Minister Resident in Spain. 
After a few months he was appointed Envoy to the United States. 

Baron de Itajuba is very popular in the diplomatic circle of Washington, is 
a good linguist, speaking several foreign languages as fluently as his mother 
tongue. His family is of Portugese origin. In Brazil it is from the interior 
province of Minas. 

The Baroness de Itajuba is a lady of varied attractions, and like her distin- 
guished husband, is also very popular. She is adaughter of Counsellor Pereira 
da Silva member of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies for forty years, and 
one of the most distinguished parliamentarians, orators, financiers, and histo- 
rians of the Empire. 

Secretary Jos6 Augusto Ferreira da Costa, is a native of Pernambuco, and 
began his career in the diplomatic service in 1874, as Attach*} at St. Peters- 
burg, and successively at London and Berlin, until he became Secretary at 
Washington, 1885. 

Second Secretary, Jos^ Coelho Gomes, served ten years as an officer in the 
Brazilian navy, and in 1883 was made Attach6 at Washington. Mrs. Gomes 
was Miss Hatcher, of Lafayette, Indiana, cousin of the wife of Representa- 
tive R. R. Hitt, of Illinois. They met in Washington and were married in 
1885. 

Sefior D. Emilio de Muruaga, fifty-six years of age, representative of the 
Spanish portion of the Iberian Peninsula, which embraces the area and popu- 
lation of the New England and Middle States of the United States, is a native 
of Biscay. He is the son of a distinguished oflficer of the Spanish army who 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 63 

was murdered by the Carlists. He entered the diplomatic service as Attache 
at Paris, 1S48, served in tlie foreign olTico at Madrid, as Secretary at Monte- 
video, Washington, 1855, Rome, Washington, 1S57, Vienna, and St. Peters- 
burg, where he was Charge d' Affaires, and secured the recognition of Alfonso 
as King of Spain by Russia. He was Envoy to Mexico, 1875, Counsellor 
of State at Madrid, i88i, and Envoy to the United States, 18S6. He speaks 
five languages. He is a widower. His wife, a Russian lady of high accom- 
plishments, whom he married there, died and was buried in Mexico. The 
minister's step-daughter is married to Mr. Yturbe, of one of the ancient famil- 
ies and largest land owners in Mexico. They reside m Paris. 

Seiior D. Miguel de Florez Garcia, First Secretary, was in the diplomatic 
service before he arrived at Washington. He married in Constantinople. 

Sefior D. Jose Felijie Sagrario, Second Secretary, is a gentleman of fine 
attainments. Senora de Sagrario, wife of the Secretary, is a French lady, 
and Senorita Maria Sagrario, his daughter, in society, is very pretty. 

Sefior D. Francisco Gordon Du Bosc, Third Secretary, is the son of a 
Spanish father and English mother, and one of the popular younger members 
of the corps. Senor D. Jos 6 de Pedroso, Attache, is son of Marquis de Ped- 
roso, of Cuba. 

The oriental potentate, Kwang Su, who rules over the oldest and most 
populous Empire, sends to the youngest and most populous Republic an Em- 
bassy composed of fifteen officials of various grades and thirty native attend- 
ants. The head of the Embassy, which is also accredited to Madrid and Lima, 
is Chang Yen Hoon, a middle-statured, vigorous Mongolian of fifty, is a na- 
tive of Canton. He was granted the red button of the second rank, and dec- 
orated with the peacock feather for services in j)utting down the rebels. He 
held the offices of Tao-tai, or intendant of circuit with supervision of customs 
and Provincial grand judge. He is of the third rank of the Inner Court. 

The First Secretary, Shu Cheon Pon, a niitldle-aged Chinese, of studious 
mien, was Charge d'Afiaires at Peru under the orders of the last Minister, 

Secretary Jui Yuan, a member of tlie Manchurian nobles, twenty-eight 
years of age, is a grandson of Marquis Ki, governor general, and later pre- 
mier of the Empire. His father, General Kung, is now commander-in-chief 
of the Manchurian forces on the Russian frontiers. He entered the military 
service himself in 1874, and was promoted to the rank of prefect, and decora- 
ted with the peacock feather for services against the rebels along the Amoor, 
and in the recapture of Kuldja. 

Pung Kwang Ju has had a varied career in the service of his country, and 
is now Secretary. 

The American Secretary, D. W. Bartlett, is the well known "Van" of the 



64 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Washington correspondents of ten to thirty years ago. He became American 
Secretary o{ the first Chinese Legation about ten years ago. Recently he re- 
ceived from the Mantchoo Sovereign a medal of the double silver star and 
golden dragon of the empire for long and faithful service. Mrs. Bartlett was 
Miss Julia Painter, of Cummington, Massachusetts, the home of the poet 
Bryant, and a lady of great intelligence and attractive manners. Her daugh- 
ter Alice is also a favorite in society. 

Secretary and Translator, Ho Shen Chee, a Cantonese, a sub-prefect, wear- 
ing the button of the fifth rank, is thirty-seven years old, and a fine type of 
his race. Having received an English education at Hong Kong, and served 
as translator and interpreter to the Police Magistrate's Court, and 1 ter under 
his own Government, he was assigned to the Embassy to the United States as 
Secretary. 

Mr. Liang Shung, also a Cantonese, twenty-four years of age, is a brother 
of the Commissioner of Finance at Nanking. The Liang family in the past 
century have reached a succession of high, official, and literary honors, an 
uncle and cousin having won the degrees of Literati, were made Governors 
of Peking, an honor unsurpassed during the past six dynasties of the Empire. 
When twelve years of age, at the request of Governor General Shun, he was 
made student in the Imperial Educational Mission at Hartford, Connecticut, 
studied two years at Amherst, and prepared for college in Phillips Academy, 
Andover, Massachusetts. In i88l he joined the Commissioner of Finance at 
Peking, when he was assigned to the present Embassy. 

Of the Mongol members of the embassy those best known in Washington 
society are the translators Ho Shen Chee and Liang Shung. These linguists 
of the Orient always attend the Minister in official or social intercourse in 
Washington and mold the harsh accents of Anglo-Saxon into the phonetic 
euphemisms of the mandarin or court dialect of the East. 

Secretary Liang Ting Tsan, another Cantonese, is twenty-nine years of 
age. Eight generations of his ancestors have been distinguished in the Im- 
perial service, which made his family conspicuous in the province of Quang- 
Tung. In 1876 he composed the best essay at the annual provincial examina- 
tions, and was first in the competition before the Imperial Examiner, He 
was assigned to the Department of Finance at Pekin, and by brevet wears 
the peacock feather. In 1885 he was made Magistrate in the province of 
Quang-Se, but was the same year designated to his present place. 

The medicine man of the embassy, Yow Jir Shee, is well instructed in 
Western chirurgical art, and cares for the ailings of the Oriental anatomy of 
the diplomats of Kwang Su. The student interpreter is Koo Shun Ing, 
The Military Attaches, Mr. Chun Kut Sing and Mr. Ma Wang Yuan, devote 



THE DU'LO.MATIC CORPS. 6$ 

their attention to studying the occidental r.rt of war. 'I'lie re^t of the embassy 
is composed of Attaches Tsien Kwang Tao, Shue Cliok, Chang Cho Shing, 
and Li Chun Kwan. They do the transcribing and clerical work of the lega- 
tion, and fill out this brilliant group of oriental figures in the diplomatic corps. 

The mountain Republic of Simon Bolivar, as large in area as the southern 
United States, with about one sixth the population, was represented during 
the past season by Doctor Cas'miro Corral. He was distinguished in public 
affairs as Secretary of State, Genersl of tlie Army, and Minister to Peru, and 
in l8S6 to the United States. Upon his departure the Bolivian Legation was 
temporarily withdrawn from the diplomatic list at Wash ngton. The house- 
hold of Minister Corral was presided over by his eldest married daughter, 
Sefiora Maria Corral de Moreno, under whose auspices her charming sister, 
the petite Senorita Daria Corral, made her debut in Washington society last 
winter. The Minister's two nieces, Senorita Pisarrozo and Seuorita Nativi- 
dad Pisarrozo, were also among the young ladies of his household, and at- 
tended school during the winter. Doctor Damaso Sanchez, Secretary, and 
Senor Daniel Lucero, Attach^, were members of the legation. Minister 
Corral being a candidate for President of Bolivia, took his departure for his 
native land, in order to give his candidacy his personal supervision. Wash- 
ington never had a more esteemed diplomatic representative from the repub- 
lics of the South, and in his elevation to the chief magistracy of his country 
the Government of the great Repulilic would feel a friendship strengthened 
by the ties of previous personal relations. 

The Republic of Chili, a narrow strip of territory, extemling from ihc Pa- 
cific Ocean inland to the snow-clad cests of the Andes, and from Cape Horn 
within twelve degrees of the antarctic circle to the equator, constituting twice 
the area and the same population as Missouri, sends Senor D. Domingo Gana 
as its Envoy. He is about forty-two years of age, and was educated at the 
National Institute of Santiago de Chili, and graduated as a lawyer. For 
many years he was Under Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 
and took an important part in shaping the foreign policy of his country. He 
participated in the conferences which took place at Arica, on board the man- 
of-war '• Lakawanna," when the Government of the United States offered 
its friendly offices as mediator to bring about a cessation of hostilities between 
Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and put an end to the war. Minister Gana has been 
selected on several occasions by the jiopular vote to occupy a seat as Deputy- 
Representative in the National Congress of Chili. In 1SS2 he resigned, tem- 
porarily, the Under Secretaryship of Foreign Affairs, to accept the mission to 
Mexico, and afterwards to Brazil, and to the United States, 1SS6. 

The Minister is accomplished and traveled; a good linguist, undcrst.mding 
5 



66 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Sfianish, Frencli, English, and Portuguese, and is very ])opular in fashionable 
circles. 

Sefiora Margarita Edwartls do Gana, wile of the Minister, belongs to one 
of the most noted families of bankers in the Republic, an 1 of great social 
and political ii.fluence. She was educated in the Convent of the Sacred 
Heart, in Santiago, which she continued during her many visits to Europe, 
and her long residence at the Court of Brazil, where she was the queen of a 
charmed social circle. She is endowed with many personal attractions, and 
is very popular. 

Senor Beltran Mathieu, Secretary of the Chilian Legation, is about thirty- 
three years of age, is a young lawyer of promise, and has already attained 
eminence in his profession in his country. He was elected a member of the 
National Congress, and was also selected by the people to fill the office of 
Prosecuting Attorney several times, in the Department in which he resides. 
His wife, who was Senorita Josefina Prito, is one of the pretty women ol 
Cor.cepcion, Southern Chile. She speaks English with grace and fluency. 

Don Manuel Freire, Second Secretary, is twenty-three years of age, and 
belongs to one of the most distinguished families in Chili. He is the grand- 
son of Captain-General Ramon Freire, one of the notable generals of the 
war of independence of South America He is the son of the recent Presi- 
dent of Chili, and his uncle is now the Secretary of Foreign Relations. He 
was educated at the National Institute of Santiago, and is a member of sev- 
eial public associations. 

The Ottoman Empire, about two thirds the size and the same population as 
the Uni ed States, has a nev repesentative in Mavroyeni Bey, who presented 
his credentials in March. He has had large diplomatic experience in Europe, 
and is a person of fine social qualities. Ristem Effendi, Secretary of Lega- 
tion, has resided in Washington for some time. 

The bipartite government of Austria-Hungary, representinga German Mon- 
archy and a Magyar Kingdom, covering an area in south-eastern Europe of 
about the size of Montana and Wyoming Territories, and about two thirds the 
population of the United States, has brought the recent diplomatic misunder- 
standing to a close by the appointment of Chevalier Schmidt von Tavera, as 
Envoy at Washington, having presented his credentials in April, 1887. He 
first came to Washington in 1864, as Secretary. He was Charge d' Affaires 
later, serving until 1870. He was last counsellor of the Austrian Embassy at 
Berlin. 

Count Lippi Weissenfeld, Counsellor of Legation, was Charg^ d'Affaires 
during the recent misunderstanding. Baron Paumgartten is chancellor. 

The latest acquisition to the Diplomatic Corps is Senor D. J. A. Olavarria 



THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS. 67 

who reliever] Sefior D. A, M. Soteldo, as Charge d'Affaires, of Venezuela. 
He is about fifty-three years of age, a resident of Caracas, the capital, and a 
director of the Bink of Venezuela. lie visited the United States over twenty 
years ago. The present is his first public service, being charged with inviting 
the friendly offices of th ; United States as mediator in the dispute between 
England and Venezuela relating to territory on the river Esequibo, which Ven- 
ezuela claims was not in the original cession of portion of Dutch Guiana. The 
territory of Venezuela is about the size of the Southern st;ites west of the 
Mississippi, with less population. 

Sefior D. Soteldo has resided in the United States a large share of his time 
for thirty years, much ofit occupied in journalism. lie has been made diplo- 
matic adviser to the Foreign C)ffice at Caracas. Sefior D. Manuel F. Az- 
purna is Attache. 

Mr. Paul L. E. de Lovenorn, Minister Resident of the royal archipelago of 
Denmark, which is the size of Maryland, and double the population, is de- 
scended in the direct line from Paul Vendelbo, a native of Jutland, who going 
to Russia was made by Peter the Great tutor to the young Prince MenzinKoflf. 
Venc'elbo subsequently entered the Russian army, and was soon made Adju- 
tant-General. Returnmg to Denmark, his king, Frederick IV, ei trusted 
him with important missions to the Courts of Europe, and for his services 
ennobled him and gave him the name Lovenorn, or Lion Eagle. Paul Lov- 
enorn, his grandson, was a Danish admiral, distinguished in the French navy, 
and who, during tha. service fought with great valor in the French fleet sent 
to America to aid the colonies in their war of Independence. Minister Resi- 
dent Lovenorn is a grandson of the admiral. He entered the liiplomatic ser 
vice in 1870, at London, served at St. Petersburg and Berlin, and became 
Minister-Resident at Washington, 18S5. He is handsome, forty-three, un- 
married, speaks English and several other languages. 

The Republic of Salvador is represented by Minister Resident Sefior D. 
Miguel Velasco y Velasco. Uruguay by Sefior D. Carlos Farini, who has 
been absent for some time, and Guatemala by Seiior D. Enrique Toriello, 
who resides in New Vork, both Chirgd d'Affaires. 



68 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Diplomacy and Etiquette. 

The rule of intercourse established — early ministers — Jefferson's 
lack of manners — proposed legislation to punish the abuse ok di- 
plomatic privileges— a social incident— president monroe fixes 
the social relations of foreign ministers at the executive man- 
sion — a revolt in the cabinet — the president's daughter retali- 
ates for an assumed slight — relations better understood — the 
place of the department of state — present rules of ceremonial 
and social intercourse — necessity of an officer of ceremonies — 
secretary kvarts' plan for diplomatic and official entertain- 
MENTS. 

■■lEFORE the permanent establishment of the official and social it stitu- 
tions of the government, the Diplomatic Corps exerted a positive influ- 
^^33,/ ence in shaping public affairs. The foreign vi'as then more important 
than the domestic policy of the nation. 

The overtures for recognition of the American colonies began within three 
months after the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, but nego- 
tiations were conducted in foreign countries, whose friendship was courted. 
The alliance with France resulted in the appointment of a diplomatic agent 
before the close of the Revolution. The name of Duke de la Luzerne, repre- 
sentative of France, is familiar in the social affairs of the day of the Confed- 
eration. Pieter Van Berkel also resided near the government at Philadelphia 
as the Plenipotentiary of the States General of Urited Netherlands, chiefly to 
look after the interests of the Dutch holders of loans to the independent but 
bankrupt American Republic. 

The corps as a distinctive feature in the social life of the seat of government 
of the United States began contemporaneously with the establishment of the 
government of 1789. The Marquis de Moustier, the French Minister, led oflf 
with a grand ball in honor of President Washington's inauguration. At the 
State dinner upon Mrs. Washington's arrival at New Yoik, the capital, the 
French, Spanish, and Dutch Ministers were guests. 

While questions of official and social etiquette were still under censideration 
Marquis de Moustier, addressed a letter to President Washington, a few days 
after his inauguration, defining his idea of the mode of intercourse between 
himself and the President in order to pave the way for the transaction of fu- 
ture Ijusiness between the two nations. His real design was to secure a re- 
cognition of personal intercourse. The Count asserted that it was not be- 
neath the dignity of the President to transact business with a foreign minister, 



DII'I.OMACY AND ETIQUETTE. 69 

and tliat a French nobkman might have intercourse with any sovereign. A 
few days after Washington replied to the Marcjuis that it would not be wise 
to depirt from the usual method of negotiations, which was by writing 
through the head of the proper department. 

The overturn of th^ old regime in PVance brought Genet lo the L'nited 
States as the first Minister of the Republic. He was one of those irascible 
Frenchmen who figured so conspicuously in the days of the French Revolu- 
tion. No sooner had he arrived in Philadelphia than he began the formation 
of democratic societies in imitation of the Jacobin clubs of Paris. The word 
"citizen" as a term of address was in vogue and the tri-color of France was 
common. He even complained at seeing the bust of Louis XVI in the ves- 
tibule of the President's house, and finally conducted himself in such a man- 
ner that Washington asked his recall. Genet was brother of the celebrated 
Madam Campan, under whose care Eliza Monroe, daughter of the President, 
then a Diplomatic Minister, was educated at Paris. He marrietl Cornelia 
Tappan Clinton, daughter of the Governor of New York, and settled there. 
The Government of Great Britain sent George Hammond as its Envoy in 
1791. A few years later he married one of the daughters of Andrew Allen, 
of Philadelphia. In 1796 Don Carlos d'Yrujo, Minister of Spain, married 
Sally McKean, a great beauty and daughter of the Chief Justice of Pennsyl- 
vania. Society belles of Philadelphia during Washington's administration 
became wives of the French, English and Sjianish Envoys. About this time 
Alexander Baring, first Baron of Ashburton, who in 1842 negotiated with 
Daniel Webster the celebrated northern boundary treaty, arrived in Philadel- 
phia as the representative of his father's London financial house. In 1798 he 
married Anne Louisa, eldest daughter of William Bingham, a Senator of the 
United States from Pennsylvania. 

The studied uncouth manners of Jefferson as President, which he never 
practiced at the courts of Europe, and which his admirers delighted to term 
"republican simplicity," but which were nothing more than the arts of a de- 
magogue and entirely beneath the character and abilities of the author of the 
Declaration of Independence, on several occasions led to much unnecessary 
feeling among members of the Diplomatic Corps. When the British Envoy, 
Anthony Merry, was received by Secretary Madi.son at the President's house 
to present his letter of credence, the Secretary and Minister entered the au- 
dience parlor only to find the President not there. They strolled towards the 
study and encountered him in a passageway in undress and slippers, under 
which circumstances the Minister was presented. On another occasion, at a 
state dinner, the President, who was conversing with Mrs. Madison, wife of 
the Secretary of State, who was presiding lady, in the absence of Mrs. Ran- 



7° SOCIETY I\ WASHINGTON. 

dolph, escorted Mrs. Madibon to the table instead of Mrs. Merry, the wife of 
the British Minister, who was the principal lady guest. The Minister took 
it as an insult, and made it a subject of a communication to his Government. 
Secretary Madison, to head off any feeling, apprised Minister Monroe at 
London. Monroe was happy at the occurrence, as shortly before the wife of 
an English unc'er secretary had been given precedence over his own wife. 
The matter was tpiietly permitted to drop, although Mrs. Merry never after- 
wards attended entertainments at the President's, and Mr. Merry only offi- 
cially. 

Jefferson's doctrine of pela mela, or social equality, at length led ti) some- 
what of a rebellion among the Diplomatic Ministers. The point turned on 
the supposed degradation of an Envoy to the level of a Charge d' Affaires. 
The President declined to decide the question, and informed the Ministers 
that they might fix their own ceremonies, but that no seats would be specially 
prepared for them at his table; that upon public occasions, with reference to 
heads of departments, with foreign Ministers and others invited, the same 
rule of equality would be adhered to. The British and Spanish Ministers, 
however, got ahead of the President on the precedents by pointing out that 
under the old government, and even in the ceremonies of introduction of the 
new government, the foreign Ministers were placed according to the order in 
which their government acknowledged by treaty the independence of the Uni- 
ted States. 

During the second term of President Jefferson, the conduct of ihe Marquis 
d'Yrujo, Minister Resident of Spain, growing out of differences between the 
two countries on the boundary question, led to a diplomatic incident in which 
the Senate was disposed to participate. The Minister was accused of attempt- 
ing to bribe the editor of a P'ederal newspaper to support the Spanish cause. 
This he denied, but his recall >vas requested. The Spanish government re- 
plied that he had already asked lea\e to return. The Marquis lingered in 
Washington, however. He was finally ir/formed that his departure would be 
expected very soon. He replied that he would suit his own convenience, and 
the interests of his king; that the Minister of Spain received orders from his 
sovereign, and not from the United States, John Quincy Adams, who was 
familiar with the etiquette of foreign courts, took the matter in hand in the 
Senate, by introducing a bill " topreventthe abuse of the privileges of Foreign 
Ministers," It authorized the President, upon a violation of municipal laws 
by a foreign Minister to demand justice from his sovereign, and in event of 
hostility, or conspiracy against the government, or insult, or disrespect to- 
wards the President, to order the offender t ) withdraw, and if he refused 
to send him to his sovereign, the President to signify the offense. Senator 



Dll'LOMACV AND K IKJUF-TTK. 7 I 

Adams made a speech in support of the measure. Tlic AdmKjistr.;lion doubt- 
ed i Is pclicy as implying discourtesy towards representatives oFnations which 
had never offended. The rectll of Yrujo was again asked and compHed with.. 
Had Spain dechned the bill would have jias.'ed. \Viih this understanding it 
was defeated in ihe Senate. 

When Mr. Monroe entered tlie Doparlnicnt of Stale lie established the 
practice rf a member of the Cabinet returning the first visit and no other visit 
of a foreign minister. This was at variance with the practice of the European 
government where the ministers of State returned no vi its of foreign Min- 
isters except Ambassadors. 

At the beginning of President Monroe's administration, the question of the 
President and wife accepting an invitation to a social entertainment of a For- 
eign Minister was made an issue. At Mrs. Monroe's drawing room M. Hyde 
de Neuville, the French Minister, mentioned to the Secretary of State that he 
would give a grand fete in honor of the evacuation of France by the allied 
troops, and desired to have the President and Mrs. Monroe present. The 
subject was a matter of diplomatic negotiation by the Minister. When the 
question was brought to the President's attention by the Secretary of State, 
he expressed a willingness to gratify the Minister if there had been a single 
example since the existence of the Constitution of a President going to the 
house of a Foreign Minister. The President even went to the trouble of send 
ing for Major Jackson, who had been one of Washington's private secretaries* 
to consult, him. From that source he was informed that neither Washington 
nor any other President, had ever been at the house of a Foreign Minister. 
The President determined not to break through the precedent. The question 
then turned upon Mrs. Monroe. The President consulted her, and accepted 
as her decision that it would not be pro]icr for her to go where it was not 
proper for her husband to accompany her. The President directed Secretary 
Adams to inform the Minister that he would re(|uire his daughter, Mrs. Eliza 
Monroe Hay, to be present. 

The President's decision rather increased the complications. Mrs.- Hay 
sent to Se:retary Adams to see her before meeting De Neuville, Mrs. Mon- 
roe, her mother, being i)resent. Mrs. Hay said that she desired the Secretary 
of State to inform Mr. de Neuville that she would at the request of licr father, 
though against her own inclinations, go 1 3 the ball, but upon condition, first, 
that her i)rcsence, under the circumstances, should leave her position with the 
ladies of the foreign .Ministers precisely where it would have been had she not 
attended; that she would after>vard neither visit them nor receive visits from 
them, nor accept any invitation to their parties ; second, that no rank or sta- 
tion should be assigned her at the ball, no pretense of distinguishing her as 



-J 2 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the President's daughter should be mide; that at supper she would find her 
place somewhere among the Commodore's wives, but no particular distinction 
must be shown her. As a third ultimatum she demanded that M. de Neuville 
might write to his own government whatever he pleased, but her name must be 
omitted in all accounts of the afiair. She was willing to obey her father, and 
be present at the fete, but as the daughter of James Monroe, and not of Presi- 
dent James Monroe. De Neuville accepted the terms quietly, but it resulted 
in an entire breaking off of social relations between Mrs. Hay and the ladies of 
the Diplomatic Corps. 

Previous to this time Presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Madison per- 
mitted, to a certain degree, visits from Foreign Ministers, but as the social 
institutions of the government became more thoroughly established, and owing 
to the recurrence ofpersonal jealousies among the ministers themselves, likely 
to lead to international feeling, this privilege was withdrawn. The rule 
then established by the President authorized the presence of Foreign Ministers 

1. At private audiences requested by them. 

2. At drawing-rooms. 

3. At diplomatic dinners once or twice during the winter. 

No sooner had peace been restored on this point than a war of etiquette 
broke out in the Administration household. It had always been the custom 
for the President to invite the Secretary of State only to all his dinners to the 
Diplomatic Corps. There being no Ministers of ambassadorial rank, noques- 
tion was raised by the Diplomats themselves against the Secretary of State 
taking precedence of them on such occasions. A new feature, however, was 
introduced into the controversy by the Secretary of the Treasury, W. H. Craw- 
ford, of Georgia. That gentleman having nearly captured the Presidential 
nomination from Mr. Monroe, and backed by a powerful minority in his party, 
was not willing to take a subordinate place on occasions of ceremony. The 
President was apprised by Secretary Crawford on behalf of himself, and the 
other heads of Executive Departments, that they expected to be placed on an 
entire equility with the Secretary of State, and objected to that officer alone 
being invited. The Diplomatic Ministers here took the subject up, repeating 
their willingness to yield precedence to the Secretary of State, but at dinners 
of ceremony they would not consent to being thrown to the foot of the table 
by four or five heads of departments, 

To avoid this new complication, the President when next entertaining the 
Foreign Ministers at dinner, excluded all the members of the Cabinet alike, 
and filled up the table by inviting the Navy Commissioners and respectable 
personages of the city. To this the Foreign Ministers objected on the ground 
of being invited with persons of inferior rank and private citizens, and further 



DIPLOMACY AND ETIQUETTE, 73 

objected to the absence of the Secretary of State, with whom they were asso- 
ciated in their quasi-official relations. The Presiilent succumbed to the rea- 
sonableness of this position, and at a later dinner given to the Diplomatic 
Corps invited the Secretary of State and wife as formerly had been customary. 
The Secretary, however, in order to quiet the threatened Cabinet crisis, ad 
vised the President to withdraw the invitation to himself, and to reconcile the 
differences by inviting one member of the Cabinet at a time, and in the accept- 
ed order. This plan was adopted. 

Upon the occasion of the marriage of President Monroe's youngest daugh- 
ter, Maria Hester Monroe, to her cousin, Samuel Lawrence Gouverneur, of 
New York, the Foreign Ministers being uncertain as to whether they would 
be expected to make a complimentary call in honor of the event, Politica, the 
Minister of Russia, visited Mrs. Adams, the wife of the Secretary of State, 
for information. She applied to Mrs. Hay to obtain her views. That lady, 
though not the presiding lady, as the daughter of the President, though she 
did not reside in the Executive Mansion, never visited at the houses of any 
of the Foreign Ministers, for the reason that their ladies did not pay her the 
first visit. Mrs. Hay, who seemed to have assumed the arrangement of the 
etiquette of the Administration, and who had involved it in a senseless war 
with the Diplomatic Corps to suit herself, decided that her youngest sister 
could not receive and return visits which she could not reciprocate, and there- 
fore it was decided that the Foreign Ministers should take no notice of the 
marriage. A few days after, when the time for receiving visits of congratula- 
ation had been fixed, the President directed that the Foreign Ministers should 
be notified that they with their ladies might pay a wedding visit, and that the 
visit would be returned, but that it must stop there. As the notice had 
already been given to the ministers "that they were not to know that the 
President had a daughter married," it was decided to permit matters to rest, 
tlie ministers not calling. 

At the close of the administration of President Monroe, at a state dinner, 
an incident occurred which illustrates how international differences often work 
upon the feelings and decorum of the Ministers. Sir Charles Vaughn, the 
British Envoy, was seated at the table opposite the French Minister. The 
British Envoy, observing his diplomatic vis-a-vis biting his thumb, became 
very much irritated, and at length demanded across the table: "Do you bite 
your thumb at me, sir?" " I do," replied the Frenchman. Vaughn, leav- 
ing the table, withdrew to the corridor, followed instantly by the French Min- 
ister. Swords were drawn, and the excited diplomats were about to licgin 
operati(jns, when the President, observing them leave the table, followed them 
and entered tlie corridor in time to draw his own sworil, which was still 



74 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

part of the full dress of the White House, and separated the would-be com- 
batants. He ordered the Ministers into separ£te apartments, sent for -heir 
carriage?, and dispatched them to their residences. The President returned 
to his guests. The Ministers next day apologized for their breach of pro- 
priety. 

In later years the relations between the Government and the Diplomatic 
Corps have been better understood and eatablished,_ and have but rarely re- 
sulted in that friction which attends a variance of interests, leal or imagined, 
between nations. In the long period of nineiy-eight years, the Government 
has demanded the re-call of but few diplomatic representatives who were ob- 
jectionable. These were ministers Genet, of France, in 1793, d'Yrujo, of 
Spain, in 1807, Jackson, of Great Britain, in 1809, and Pouissin, of France, 
in 1849. Crampton, of Great Britain, was handed his [jassports in 1856, and 
intercourse with Catacazy, of Russia, terminated in 1871. The concessions 
of President Monroe and Secretary of State J. Q. Adams to the ill-mannered 
social ambition of Secretary of the Treasury Crawford, was no compliment to 
their sense of propriety. The precedence of the Department of State in the 
Cabinet circle was not only established by the position always given it in 
legislative enactments and ceremonial usage, bu. furnished the stepping-stone 
to the Presidency of such men as Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy 
Adams, Van Buren, and Buchanan, and John Marshall to the Chief Justice- 
ship of the United States. The Treasury in its list of chiefs has never had a 
single person who r«. ached the Presidency, and the War Deimrtment, of all 
the rest, had only James Monroe for a few months, while Secretary of State, 
and General Grant, ad interim. 

The members of the Diplomatic Corps at Washington receive more gener- 
ous social recognition than they do at other capitals. In return they have 
always contributed largely to the enjoyments and attractions of social life. 
Their entertainments have at timesbeen among the most brilliant affairs of the 
season. Their participation in ceremonial occasions of the government has 
also been conspicuous. 

As a body the corps is now invited by the Secretary of Stale to call upon 
the President in private audience first after the members of the Administra- 
tion on New Year's day. The President gives a ceremonial reception in 
honor of the Corps, and invites it as a body to a diplomatic dinner, and to all 
other stite receptions during the season. They are also included in the list 
of participants in the pageant attending the inauguration of a President and 
on other suitable ceremonial occasions. As individuals they have personal 
audience in comiiany with the Secretary of State upon presentation of cre- 
dentials or on taking leave. They appear at public receptions and drawing 



DIPLOMACY AND KriQUKTTF. 75 

rooms at the Executive Mansion, and arc received unofficially in private 
audience at their own request. 

The most serious omission in the organic law uf the Executive brancli of 
the Government is tlie absence of aPrivito Secretary t5 the President to be 
ixcffuio chief of a Bureau in the Executive office or the Department of State, 
having control of questions of ceremony ard jirecedence. The growth of 
the official personnel of the Government makes some provision of this kind 
imperative, sooner or later. Such an official answering to the Master of Cere- 
monies of other governments would prevent lapses of etiquette and often re- 
diculous mistakes on the part of the Government in communications to rulers 
of foreign countries, and would secure uniform arrangement of j^ublic cere- 
monies in the personnel of the guests and of precedence. Strange as it may 
seem with the existing state of things, there is not an officer of the Govern- 
ment who could properly deal v\ith the presence of an ambassador of full rank 
at Washington. The Secretary of State is wrongly required to serve in cer- 
tain cases as the Master of Ceremonies and entertainer of the President. He 
gives diplomatic breakfasts and diplomatic d nners, and keeps open house in 
doing the society of the Administration. It is for this reason that wealth has 
not infrequently superceded brains in the iLanagenient of these most impor- 
tant and delicate functions of the Government. At the time William M. 
Evarts was Premier, that generous entertainer contemplated establishing a 
precedent of holding the Diplomatic and other official social entertainments 
in the nature of receptions in the handsome communicating suite of salons, 
two hundred and fifty feet in length, occupied by the Secretary of State and 
his assistants. Upon a careful investigation it was found that the use of 
these apartments for ceremonial entertainments, by the Premier v. ould not in- 
convenience public business, and would not cause any material expense to 
the Government. The plan, however, was never carried into etTect, although 
as a rule, it met with favorab'.e comment by the thinking p-css of the country. 
Official hospitality has grown to such dimensions that popular sentiment will 
demand son e arrangement V)y which respectable citizens who visit the cap- 
ital, and are the real sovereigns, may enjoy at least a share in public enter- 
tainments during the season, without imposing upon the officer of the minis- 
try, who is not furr.ished with a residence like the President, the burden of 
maintaining a costly private establishment for social duties, purely official. 



76 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER X. 

The Vice-President. 

The heir presumptive to the presidency -the senate asserts the 
dignity of the office — second in the scale of precedence— the 
title — the late vice-president — claims to social pre-eminence 
of the wife of the vice-president ignored — a social anomaly. 

jY specific provision of the National Constitution, the Vice-President of 
the United States is the heir presumptive to the office of President. 
%^:j^' He is one of the only two officers of national election. By the require- 
ments of the Constitution he is chosen at the same time, in the same manner, 
and for the same term as the President, but has no executive authority ex- 
cept when in the exercise of the duties of the chief office. He is then c othed 
with all the prerogatives of rank and authority. The Constitution also spe- 
cifically designates him as the President of the Senate, which makes him the 
first officer of the constituent chamber of the States of the Union. 

In the scale of official dignities the Vice-President naturally occupies the 
second place as the constitutional successor to the first, and also as occupying 
ex-officio the first place in the second co-ordinate branch of the government. 

The Senate, mindful of its own high functions, and of the dignity of its Pres- 
ident, in arranging its forms of intercourse with other branches of the govern- 
ment laid down the rule that tl>e Vice-President of the United States and Presi- 
dent of the Senate, as the representative head of their body, should only sign 
communications or enrolled bills to be sent to the President of the United 
States or in transmitting the thanks of Congress. All official communica- 
tions, messages, or engrossed bills of the Senate sent to the lower branch of 
Congress, or to any officer of less rank is signed by the Secretary of 
the Senate. His office, in point of official propriety, and by recognized 
precedent since the first in the line of Vice-Presidents, requires him to make 
a call of ceremony upon the President only, which he does immediately after 
the assembling of the Senate. The President, however, as in all cases, does 
not return the call. He is entitled to the first visit from the Chief Justice of 
the United States, Senators, and all others, which he may return in person 
or by card. 

The official title of the Vice-President was promptly determined at the very 
beginning of the government. Pending the controversy about the President's 
title in the first Congress, Vice-President Adams became involved in a con- 
test of his own with the members of the Senate as to his proper official desig- 



THE VICE-PKESIDENT. 77 

nation. In his first mcosage to llie House of Representatives he signed him- 
self John Adams, Vice-President. The Senators declared that such a signa- 
ture indicated the idea of the absence of the President of the Senate; that 
tliey only knew him as President of the Senate, and as such only could he 
sign or authenticate any act of that body. It took Mr. Adams several days to 
recover from iliis criticism. He then declared to the Senate: " I have since 
examined the Constitution. I am placed here by the people. To part with 
the style given me is a dereliction of my right. Vice-President is my title, 
and I shall ma'.e a point to assert it." As as a compromise, however, he 
adopted the rule of signing himself as the Presiding Officer of the Senate as 
"Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate." The 
same form of official sigature adopted in 1 789, has been adhered to ever since. 

Thomas A. Hendricks was the fifth Vice-President who died in office. Those 
who preceded him in that sad ending of mundane eminence and public use- 
fulness were George Clinton. 1809; Elbridge Gerry, 1813; W. R. King, 
1853; Henry Wilson, 1873. At the time of his death the Vice-President was 
sixty-six years of age, full of glory, in the mid-day of his honors, and upon 
the threshold of his public possibilities. John Hendricks, his patern.1l pro- 
genitor, was descended from one of the first settlers in the Ligonier valley, in 
western Pennsylvania. His mother, Jane Thomson, was a descendent of a 
sturdy Calvanist from Caledonia's feathery highlands, who joined his coun- 
trymen about the time of the American Revolution, in tlie Cumberland valley 
of Pennsylvania. 

After passing through the various upward gradations of an illustiious career, 
he became a Senator of the United States. He was one of the foremost men 
of his paity for the Presidential nomination in 1868. Eight years later he was 
the unsuceessful candidate for the second place, and eight years after that the 
successful competitor for the same office, on the national ticket. In the rapid 
sequence of events he presided over the Senate but for a brief season in the 
extraortlinary session immediately after his installation, and then fell back into 
the ranks of the great dead of the Nation. It was, therefore, as a Senator 
that Mr. Hendricks was known to the public and social life cf the capital. In. 
lis household he had the ornament of a wife of rare culture and amial)ility. 
Mrs. Hentlricks, who passed a few days quietly in Washington duiing the 
season, was Miss tli^a Morgan, daughter of a merchant of Shelbyville, In- 
diana, wliere Mr. Hendricks' father settled when his son was but a child. In 
her private life Mrs. Hendricks has always been interested in charities for 
women, and is now president of one of the noblest institutions of the kind 
in the city of her residence. 

In the social life of Washington, Mrs. Hendricks, as the wife of a Senator, 



78 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and a great leader in politics, was herself, through the strength of her woman- 
ly character, the center of a large and influential circle of ladies. As wife of 
the Vice-President, the President having no wife, she was disposed to hold 
that she was entitled to social pre-eminence as First Lady of the Land, and in 
that relation would be entitled to the place of principal lady at state social cer- 
emonials. Li arranging the social code of his administration, President 
Cleveland, having invited his unmarried sister to preside over his household, 
determined that the members of the receiving party at his levees should be 
limited to the ladies of the Cabinet. This excluded the wife of the Vice-Pres- 
ident, who, however, was invited to assist Miss Cleveland at her drawing- 
rooms. The Vice-President being second in the scale of official dignities, his 
wife under the rules of precedence could not enjoy social pre-eminence as a 
right. 

The attempt to establish a rump court to take precedence of the Executive 
Mansion, the President having no wife to take the first place socially in his 
household, was a modern innovation. Martha Randolph presided over the 
household of her father. President Jefferson, and when she was absent Mrs. 
Dolly P. Madison, the vivacious wife of his Secretary of State, matronized 
the Executive social entertamments. Emily Donelson, wife of President 
Jackson's protege and Private Secretary, performed the social duties of his 
Administration. President Tyler's daughter, Lizzie, and his son's wife, An- 
gelica Singleton, held that relation to domestic affairs until the President mar- 
ried his second wife, the young and beautiful Julia Gardiner, who was but one 
year older than Mrs. Cleveland when she entered the Executive Mansion. 
Harriet Lane, the niece of President Buchanan, made the social regime of his 
term exceptionally brilliant. The petite and winning Mrs. Mary Arthur Mc- 
Elroy, was the queen of the social surroundings of her brother, Prci-ident 
Arthur, and Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, President Cleveland's sister, led 
off in the social affairs of his administration. 

The riglit of these ladies to the social pre-eminence of tlie T resident's 
household, being tliere by his authority, was never questioned by those who 
constituted the highest circles of official life. 



THE PRESIDENT OK THE SENATE l>KO TEMPORE. 79 



CHAI'TKR XI. 
The President ok the Senate tro temtore. 

His place in the scale ok uicnities — taken out (jf the line of presi- 
oen rial succession — john james incalls — his par 1 icil'a hon in the 
anti-slaverv struggles in kansas — his career leading to the u. 
s senaie- as a senator — unique in appearance and genius— in so- 
ciety— mrs ingalls. 

^T^OIIN JAMES INGALLS, a ^-enalor of the United States from the State 
,\ of Kansas, Preside t of the Senate pro h-mpoi-e, there being a vacancy 
<S^ in liie office of Vice-President of the United States and President ( f the 
Senate, enj'^s the official powers and prerogatives and social precedence of the 
second consiituiional officer at the seal of government. 

The repeal of the act of 1792, which made the President cf the Senate pro 
leuipor; and if none, the Speaker of the House of Represent itives, the legal 
successors to the Pie.-idtncy, in the event of a vacancy in both the offices of 
President and Vice-President, and the substitution of the act of 1886, vesting 
the succession in the members of the Cabinet in their order of precedence, 
takes Mr. Ingalls oat of the list of contingent successors to the first place in 
the nation. 

The President pro (evipore thus legislated out of the line of Presidential 
succession, is not df^prived, however, of his constitutior.al rank or authority 
as the chief officer of the second coordinate branch of the Government. In 
a pariamentary sense, he exercises more power than the Vice-President, as 
he has 1.II the privileges of :i Senator, which the Vice-Presiflent has not. He 
can vote on any question before the Senate, while the Vice-President, under 
the Constitution, can only }_ive the deciding vote in case of a tie. He can 
leave the chair and participate in tlie debates of the body, in which the Vice- 
President has 1.0 voice whatever. He can introduce bills, which the Vice- 
I'resident cannot. He can participate in the secret conferences for the ar- 
rangement of q iestions of organization, parliamentary business, or politics of 
his ])arty, which the Vice-President cannot, as a matter of right. He is en- 
titled to all the social privileges of the Vice-Presidential office when vacant, 
and therefore is only expected to make a call in form upon the Presidtnt at 
the opening of Congress, and receives the fir^t call from all others. 

Mr. Ingalls, who now occupies this high office, represents the aggressive 
politics of the young and vigorous States of the West. His election by the 
Senate was due to that growing, restive spirit of the section of the c .luntry 
which furnishes the greatest Republican majorities, and where future partisan 



8o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

triumphs must be largely won. Tlie inspiration of his public life was drawn 
from the thrilling political school in which he began his career three decades 
ago, and which he pursued amid the three epochs in national affairs, as a 
conspicuous figure during the throes of the slavery and anti-slavery struggles 
incident to the admission of the State of his adoption into the Union, in the 
sanguinary war which followed, and in the consummation of National recon- 
struction. 

After completing his education and having compassed his admission to the 
bar of Essex, his ancestral and natal county, in Massachusetts, in 1858, he went 
to Kansas when the tempestuous times of the border troubles were at their 
height, and opened a law office. It would have been unnatural for a young 
man of his spirit and ability, and full of the fire of twenty-five years of age, to 
witness the events transpiring around him, without taking his place on one 
side or the other. He at once became an outspoken "John Brown " Repub- 
lican, and stood by him when that champion of universal freedom was de- 
nounced as an enemy of mankind. He was one of the conspicuous figures of 
the Wyandotte constitutional convention of 1859, and promptly took sides 
against inserting the word " white " into the organic law of the embryo State. 
He went, step by step, from Secretary of the Territorial Council, i860, to Sec- 
retary of the first Kansas Senate, 1861, and a member of that body a year 
later. He served as field officer of Kansas volunteers in the war of the rebel- 
lion, and eight years after, 1873, received the culminating recognition of his 
fellow-citizens by being chosen to a seat in the Senate of the United States. 

The people of Kansas have twice since shown their appreciation of the man, in 
his higher field of public service, by reelecting him, thus carrying his useful- 
ness and maintaining the prominence which he has given to his State in the 
highest counsels of the nation through a period of eighteen years, when rounded 
to its limit. His e'evation to the high constitutional office of President of the 
Senate, pro tempore, has added increased luster to the first State born out of 
the crisis in public affairs which solved the question of slavery in the United 
States forever. 

In the Senate Mr. Ingalls has always held a place in the front rank among 
the men of wit and debate. The instinctively aggressive tendencies of his 
nature have always found him on the frontiers of parliamentary deliberation 
and ever in open conflict. He never has been found lurking behind the am 
buscades of intrigue to carry the objective points of his purposes. He has 
never displayed the weakness of the demagogue in shifting his opinions and 
molding his periods to suit the ciprice of popularity. His versatility of 
knowledge and its ready availability in every emergency of fiery discussion 
fixes his natural place in the parliamentary arena. 



THE I'RESIDENT OF THE SENATE PRO TEMPORE. 8l 

The current of his commanding gifts may be traced l)ack througli oiglU 
generations of Puritan blood. Edmund and Francis Ingalls, brothers from 
England, founded the city of Lynn, in the colony of Massacliusetts, in 1628, 
having come over with the Endicott colony. lie was born two hundred and 
five years after at Middlelon, Essex county, within ten miles of the original 
family seat. Rufus Ingalls, his father, stiU living at Haverhill, in the ances- 
tral county, was first cousin of Mehitabel Ingalls, who was President Gar- 
field's grandmother. His mother, also living, whose name was Chase, be- 
longs to the same family as the Chief Justice of the United States and Bishop 
Chase. 

Mr. Ingalls is a thoroughly developed partisan, of Rep-blican convictions, 
on every question involving the interests of his party. All his tendencies are 
towards the floor rather than towards the chair, but in the dispassionate atti- 
tude of presiding officer he exhibits the conservatism and equality of discrim- 
ination, so essential to a successful parliamentarian. In his personal appear- 
ance he is as unique as in his mental emanations. He stands upwards of six 
feet three inches in height, erect of carriage, and of an intensity of slender- 
ness of frame and meagerness of flesh decidedly striking. His head and 
bristling hair and face show forth the intellectual fire of his inner self. In his 
personal relations he is affable in manner and always approachable. He is a 
prominent figure wherever he appears in society. His mental attainments 
and the pungency of his conversational powers makes him brilliant and popu- 
lar. 

Mrs. Ingalls, the wife of the eloquent Senator from the battle-ground of 
the slavery contests, is one of the interesting ladies of the Senatorial circle. 
She was Anna Louisa Chesebrough, a descendent of William Chesebrough, 
who came from Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and settling originally at Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, 1630, subsequently removed to Connecticut. Her father, 
an importer of New York city, where she was born, bankrupted in the finan- 
cial cataclysm of 1857, gathering up the debris of his broken fortunes, settled 
in .-Atchison, Kansas, and regained his footho'.d in the business of life as an 
outfitter of trains embarking on a journey across the plains. Mrs. Ingalls, 
amid the cares of family, has adorned the Senator's social life at Washington 
with the same distinguished success which has attended his Oivn career as one 
of the strikiug figures in the upper branch of Congress, Her eldest child, 
Ethel, is a beautiful and accomplished girl, not quite twenty. She will finish 
her education this year, and will be one of the society debutants of next sea- 
son. Ellsworth Chesebrough Ingalls, a son, is attending law college in Wash- 
ington. The other children of the S.nator, are being prepared under the su- 
pervision of their mother lor higher education. 



82 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Senatorial Precedence. 

Ambassadors of the states — their functions within the three 
coordinate branches of the government — the senate never dies 
— the senatorial circle — statesmanship, learning, culture, and 
opulence — questions of precedence — a direct issue — the prac- 
tice since — precedence in the general social scale practically 
conceded. 

^^jlyNDER the theory of the Constitution a Senator represents the body 
tllvj politic of a State. He may be said to be its Ambassador to the cen- 
•^^ tral government of the Federal Union. There are at present thirty- 
eight cf these politico-seignorial jurisdictions, each represented by two Sena- 
tors. With the ladies of their famdies they constitute a dignified and practi- 
cally permanent element in official and social life at the seat of government. 

A Senator, as a member of the constituent assembly of the States, unites 
the three-fold character of legislator, executive, and judge. He, therefore, 
exerts a potential influence in governmental affairs in every direction. As 
legislators Senators hold equal power with Representatives, having the power 
of amendment or concurrence in all measures before they assume the char- 
acter of legislation. In the exercise of constitutional executive functions they 
' ■ confirm ambassadors, other public ministers, consuls, Judges of the Supreme 
Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are 
not specifically otherwise provided for in the Constitution." 

President Washington had not been in office six months before the Senate 
rejected one of his appointments. It was sufficient to intimate that the person 
was objectionable to the Senators from Georgia. Washington sent a spe- 
cial message to the Senate, but accompanied it with the name of a new ap- 
pointee. This was the origin of what has always been termed "the cour- 
tesy of the Senate." It has been the cohesive force which gives a single 
Senator the power of the whole body, and makes his dignity and authority 
equal to tliat of the President himself. The prestige cf this exalting influ- 
ence has been properly maintained with scrupulous regard from the begin- 
ning by the older Senators, They also share with the Executive the manage- 
ment of foreign affairs. In addition to the requirement that all diplomatic 
ministers shall be confirmed by them before they are clothed with complete 
authority to act, no treaty with a foreign power is of any force wdiatever under 
the Constitution until ratified and approved by the Senators. They have also 
the power to amend a treaty already signed by the representatives of the 



SENATORIAL PRECEDENCE. 83 

President, and it is even held on good authority lliat t!ie Senators may pro- 
pose a treaty. In their judicial capacity ihey constitute the liigh court of im- 
peachment, havnig the "sole power," under the Constitution, to try all im- 
peachments prepared by the House of Representatives. 

In all the great republics of antiquity the members of the upper branch of 
the law-making power have been known as Senators, made uj) of the elders 
or nobles, and were a check to tyranny on the one hand and the rabble on the 
other. The Senators of the United States have been no exception to the his- 
toric rank and title of their place in the official and social autonomy of govern- 
ment and society. As a rule the American Senators have been men of states- 
manship, learning, wealth, and influence, and have maintained, in all respects, 
the parallel of dignity and authority of their jirototypes in the Greek, Roman, 
and Italian Repul)lics, modified only by the conditions of modern civilization. 

Theoretically, the Senate is the same body to-day that it was nearly a cen- 
tury ago, notwithstanding the changes in the constituent elements of its per- 
sonnel. It never happens that more than one third the Senators retire at the 
same time, always leaving two thirds of its experienced members in the Sen- 
ate. Presidents of the United States are chosen quatlrennially, and Repre- 
sentatives biennially, but the Senate goes on as long as the Republic lasts. 
The fact that the Senate never dies materializes the idea of permancy in its 
acts, and gives the prestige of security and stability m the exercise of the 
treaty making power by the United States wiih foreign governments. 

The Senators, therefore, constitute in the society of the cipital a circle of 
their own, which contributes to the cignity of all ceremonial and social occa- 
sions. The residence of Senators in the fiftieth Congress, to the end of the 
terms for which they have been elected, that is 1S89, 1891 and 1893, represent- 
ing the three classes, presents a Senatorial longevity of over eight years. 

The Senatorial circle as a whole, next to the Justices Supreme Court, 
makes up the most permanent class of residents in official society, even ex- 
ceeding the average official tenure of the members of the Executive. Not 
only does this contribute another element of consideration to the dignity of the 
Senatorial office, but it encourages its members to live in a manner becoming 
their high station officially and socially. A majority of the Senators keep 
house, and entertain, their ladies constituting a brilliant circle in the fashion- 
able gayeties of the capital. Not a few of the Senators live in opulence. 

Pending the discussion of titles in the first Congress, the question was 
raised as to whether Senators should be styled "Honorable" in the minutes, 
Vice-President Adams objected to "Honorable," unless the work "Right" 
preceded it, making it Right Honoraljle, ujion the ground that the title " Hon- 
orable " was a colonial ajjpellation, and applied to justices of courts. The 



84 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Senate voted down the use of any titles in the minutes, and inferentially op- 
posed the application of any title except the constitutional one, "Senator." 
It was the original form for the President of the Senate to address the mem- 
bers as "Gentlemen of the Senate." John C. Calhoun, when Vice-President 
of the United States and President of the Senate, 1825-32, introduced the con- 
stitutional form, "Senators." This is the proper form in conversation, and 
in the superscription of communications either of an official or social charac- 
ter. Senators sign their names officially, U. S. S., (United States Senate.) 

In the earliest days of the government there were diffisrences, more or less 
heated and stubborn, respecting the place of a Senator in the scale of official 
dignities and social precedence. The controversies were between the Sena- 
tors and members of the Cabinet, and incidentally with the members of the 
Diplomatic Corps. President Washington, whose dignity and sense of official 
propriety may ever be accepted as an ensample of greatness in matters of de- 
corum, as in acts of war and statesmanship, always manifested the most pro- 
found respect for the office of Senator. He regarded the Senators, as a body, 
his only constitutional counsellors. He recognized their prerogatives in his 
visits to the Senate for consultation with them upon questions coining wiihin 
their powers under the Constitution, and often involving measures of public 
policy. The most sumptuous apartment adjacent to the Senate is " The Pres- 
ident's Room." Here the President invites Senators into his counsels, or re- 
mains for the convenience of public business at certain times. When he 
communicates in person with the Senators at the capitol, it is in his own 
room. He never goes upon the floor of the Senate, and never visits the 
House of Representatives. 

It is another significant fact, showing the precedence of the Senators over 
members of the Cabinet that the proposition in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1787 to give the President of the United States a Council of State proposed 
as its personnel the President of the Senate, who might be a Senator, the 
Chief Justice and such ministers as might be established for foreign or do- 
mestic affairs, war, finance, or marine, in that order of precedence. Several 
propositions were made, all of which were rejected. Therefore, there exists 
no Constitutional Council of State other than the Senators in their advice and 
consent to appointments and treaties with foreign countries. The chiefs of 
Executive Departments were the creatures of legislative enactments some 
months after the Government went into operation, and subject to the direction 
and authority of the President. Possessing no power, except ministerial, 
they were naturally drawn into his counsels. 

When Aaron Burr was a Senator, 1 791-7, the question of precedence be- 
tween a Senator and member of the Cabinet was vigorously agitated. A rule 



fiENATORIAL PRECEDENCE. 85 

was adopted by the Senators that it was only their duty to make a first call 
upon the President of the United States. The existence of such a rule has 
become traditional among the Senators, although the rule itself cannot be 
found recorded. It ij referred to as "a secret record of the Senators in 
which regulations are inscribed touching their relative claims to consideration 
on all social occasions, public or private." 

A distinctive issue was made on the question of precedence during the first 
Administration of President Monroe. Immediately after the new year's 
ceremonies, 1817, John Gaillard, of South Carolina, President of the Senate 
pro tentpon, and his colleague, NVilliam Smitli, called upon Mr. Adams, Sec- 
retary of State, to inquire whether "there had been any new system of eti- 
quette established with regard to visiting." Mr. Gaillard observed that there 
had l)een a rule adopted by the Senators when Aaron Burr was a meml)er, and 
drawn by him, that the Senators should visit only the President of the United 
States. They also mentioned that they had been referred to a book in which 
ihe rule was recorded. 

To this Mr. Adams replied that he had been a member of the Senate for 
five years, but had never heard of the rule; that it had been his custom as 
a Senator at the commencement of every session to pay the first visit to all the 
heads of departments, supposing that to have been the universal practice, 
though since his last arrival he had learned that it was different. 

The persistence of Secretary Adams and some of the other members of the 
Administration in their refusal to make the first call in form u|)on Senators, 
and the similar refusal of the wives of such persons to make the first visit to 
the wives of Senators at the beginning of each session of Congress, created so 
much disturbance between the Senators and Cabinet Ministers that the sub- 
ject assumed the magnitude of a question of State. Upon the assembling of 
the fifteenth Congress a deputation of Senators called upon the President and 
complained to him that the Secretary of State refused to pay them the first 
visit. The President expressed his wish to his ministers that the heads of 
Departments should agree upon some uniform rule respecting calls of etiquette. 
The point raised by the .Senators was that a formal visit in person or by 
card, was due from the heads of the Executive Departments at the commence- 
ment of every session of Congress to every Senator upon his arrival at the 
seat of govejnment, and that the omission of such visits was withholding from 
the Senators a proper mark of respect, and impliedly by expecting such a for- 
mality from them. 

At a special Cabinet meeting the President favored the claim of the Senators. 
The same rule he thought would apply to the wives of Senators. Tlie Cabi- 
net Ministers rjld not coincide with ihe President, but admitted that tlicy had 



86 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

followed no uniform practice. After two hours discussion, they wound up 
where they began, understanding that each one should follow his own course. 
Mr. Adams' rule was to separate the official from the social in matters of visit- 
ing, also to include the ladies of the Senators' fimilies. Mr. Crawford, Sec- 
retary of the Treasury, and Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War, were willing to 
adopt that rule, but their wives refused to comply, as they had always made 
it a practice to pay the first visit to the wives of all Senators and Representa- 
tives, and would not change. 

In order to define his position, Secretary Adams addressed a letter to the 
President, and also to the Vice-President, explaining his views, which sub 
stantially covered the points above presented, but expressed his disposition to 
conform to any rule which tlie President would advise. In his letter to the 
Vice-President he mentioned that he made it a practice at the commencement 
of each session of Congress to call upon the presiding officer of each House 
•'not from a sense of obligation, but of propriety." lie also noted that his 
wife "acted upon the same principle with regard to ladies" cf the families 
of Senators and Representatives. The principle upon which the Senators 
rested their claims, was their constitutior.al powers as a component part in 
certain defined duties of the Supreme Executive. 

The direct issue made on the question of Senatorial precedence during tlie ad- 
ministration of President Monroe, had the effect of introducing closer atten- 
tion to the social intercourse of different members of the government. The 
practice has been more common of late years, for members of the Cabinet to 
recognize the precedence of Senators. While it has never taken the character 
of a uniform rule, it has had the endorsement of usage. The Senators have 
never receded from their position as taking precedence over members of the 
Cabinet. 

It is customary for the Secretary of State, at the beginning of each session 
of Congress, to enclose his official card to each Senator, which now takes the 
place of a call. The number of the Senators have reached that proportion 
that a call in person would be a matter of positive inconvenience. The first 
call of a member of the Cabinet in person, is therefore confined to those Sen- 
ators with whom he desires to maintain social relations. The members of 
the Diplomatic Corps concede precedence to the Senators on the ground that 
they are part of the treaty making power of the government, and are there- 
fore entitled to such a mark of consideration. Social calls are optional. 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. f?7 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The Senior Senators and iheik Ladies. 
a senatorial leader ok the lel-t — mrs. sherman — the "patriarch 

OF congress'' — MRS. MORRILL — MISS SWAN — "THE FATHER (F THE 
senate" — MRS. AND MISS EDMUNDS — THE SENIOR SENATOR OF THE 
RIGHT— SENATOR AND MRS. RANSOM — SENATOR ALLISON — MRS EX-SEN 
ATOR GRIMES — THE "SILVER SENATOR" — MRS. JONES — SENATOR AND 
MRS. DAWES — MISS DAWES — SENATOR AND MRS. COCKRELL — SENATOR 
AND MRS. MITCHELL — A SENATORIAL BELLE — SENATOR AND MRS. TELLER. 

J^fOCI.\LL\ tliere exists aconliality and coliesiveness of relation among 
Jy^ the Senators and their ladies which gives the Senatorial circle its pres- 
ci^ tige of dignity and importance in the fashionable world of the capital. 

The custom of the Senate since its foundation as a recognition of the def- 
erence and courtesy due to length of service in that body, has been to divide 
its membership into two general classes, known as the Senior and Junior Sen- 
ators. The line of that courtesy is not fixed by any arbitrary duration ot 
service, but holds a relative application when Senators are brought into indi- 
vidual parliamentary relation. 

.V leading figure among the Senators is John Sherman, of Oliio. His ser- 
vice in the lower House of Congress ante-dates that of any represer.tative now 
in that body, having entered it in 1855. He was four times elected, and 
achieved sufficient i)rominence in the deliberations of the House to be the 
Republican candidate for Speaker, and was only overcome by a compromise 
combination on Pennington of New Jersey. He entered the Senate in 1861, 
or five years before the Senator of greatest length of service next to him, and 
with an intermission of four years, while Secretary of the Treasury in the 
Hayes administration, has remained there ever since. He has been elected 
five times, having just entered upon another term, which will carry him over 
to 1893. He has also filled the chair of President of the Senale />ro./empore. 

To narrate the deeds of his progenitors and of himself would be to give a 
recital of some of the most important and stirring events in American history. 
His ancestors landed in Massachusetts but settled in Connecticut, among the 
earliest ])ioneers of New Englan<l. His great grandfatlier Daniel Sherman, a 
cousin of that sterling patriot Roger Sherman, was a hero of the Revolution. 
His grandfather Taylor Sherman, of Norwalk, Connecticut, a jurist of dis- 
tinction, went to Ohio in 1805, three years after its admission into the Union. 
His gr.indmother wa> Elizaiielii Stoddard, a Imea' descendant of Rev. Antliony 



,88 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Stoddard, who settled in Boston in 1639. Her son Charles Robert Sherman, 
who was raised to the Supreme bench of Ohio in 1823, married Mary Hoyt, 
of Norwalk, Connecticut, his native place, in 1810, and the same year set- 
tled in Lancaster, Ohio, where their son John Sherman was born thirteen 
years after. 

Written in the career of Senator Sherman is an active participation of forty 
years in the politics of the Whig party, beginning in 1848, and of the Repub- 
lican party from its birth, having presided over its first convention in Ohio, 
1855. He was one of the foremost champions of its doctrin s in the anti- 
slavery discussions in the House of Representatives, of which he was a mem- 
ber from 1855 to 1861. He was a staunch advocate in the Senate, which he 
entered in 1861, of every measure for the vigorous prosecution of the war for 
the suppression of the Rebellion, and later for the reconstruction of the Union. 
He was always in favor of an honest financial policy and the protection of 
American industries. Whether taken as parliamentarian, orator, politician or 
statesman, he stands the foremost man of his generation. He has the confi- 
dence of ever;^ material interest and of every class of citizens. 

The social life of Senator Sherman is peculiarly interesting, He is a man 
of genial instincts, but has a diffidence of manner which has erroneously given 
him the reputation of being cold and indifferent. His home circle is presided 
over by one of the best of women. Mrs. Sherman was Cecelia Stewart, the 
only child of Judge James Stewart, of Mansfield, a member of that distin- 
guished Pennsylvania Colonial and Revolutionary family of Scotch- Irish or- 
igin. Added to her natural accomplishments is a superior education and 
an instinctive fondness for domestic life. When she became the wile of John 
Sherman, he was a young man cf twenty-five, just starting out in the duties 
of his profession, and the prominence of his political career. In his upward 
course from a rural attorney to.one of the foremost statesmen in the country, 
she has ever been the companion and ornament of his life. In her elegant 
Washington residence she entertains generously. Miss Mary Sherman adds 
to the attractions of the Senator's household. She is particularly popular 
among the younger members of society, highly educated, and of pleasing 
manners. 

The " Patriarch of Congress" is Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont. He was 
born in 1810 in Strafford, about fifteen miles west of the Connecticut river, at 
White River Junction, where he now resides. His services in Congress began 
in the House of Representatives in 1855, with Senntor Sheiman, and m tlie 
Senate in 1867, thus giving him thirty-six years to the end of his present Sen- 
atorial term, 1891. He and Senator Sherman, between whom there exists 
thirteen years difference of ages, are the last of llie still active conspicuous 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 89 

figures in congressional affairs under the old regime which passed into his- 
tory with the election of Abraham Lincohi to the Presidency and the seces- 
sion of the vStates of the South. He was the author of the protective tariff 
legislation known as the " Morrill Tariff of 1861." He is a close student, fin- 
ished writer and speaker. His speeches have the merit of the most exquisite 
essays. He has a distinguished appearance and is courtly in manner. He is 
a conversationalist of great popularity, and ranks with old time lights of fash- 
ionable society in this respect. The Senator belongs to one of the early 
fixmilies of the Green Mountain State. His father was Colonel Moriill, of 
Revolutionary fame. The Senator began life as a merchant and Ijanker, but 
retiring with an income of $15,000 a year, has devoted his attention apart from 
the duties of his public station to congenial agricultural pursuits upon his 
beautiful home estate in the Connecticut valley. 

The first lady in continuity of Senatorial residence at Washington is the 
wife of the Vermont Senator. She was Ruth Swan, of Stoughton, near Bos- 
ton. Her father and brothers are eminently known in the medical profession. 
She is of aristocratic appearance, and presides over the Senator's handsome 
residence with great dignity and affability. She is assisted by her sister. Miss 
Swan, of middle years, vice-president of the Washington Asylum for Colored 
Women and Orphans, and who has an intimate knowledge of public questions, 
which makes her j)resence in the Senator's home particularly attractive to 
men of affa rs. 

The Senator's son, who is twenty-nine years of age, is interested in iron man- 
ufacture in Alabama. 

The ladies of the Senatorial circle representing the social surroundings of 
the New England Senators form a distinctive feature in the fashionable life of 
Washmgton. They are noticeal>ly clannish, with a sort of IJunker Hill pride 
in the glory of their forefathers. They are women of marked intellectuality 
and ill at ease as a rule, under the conventionalities of fasliionable life. They 
do their social duties with an apparent sense of obligation rather than of 
pleasure. 

It IS an interestingcoincider.ee that Vermont in her Senators represents two 
of the three instances of exceptional length of Senatorial service. George F. 
Edmunds, "The Father of the Senate," was born in Vermont in 1828, not 
far from the picturesfjue shores of Lake Chamiilain. After serving in one or 
theotlier of the two branches of the Vermont Legislature — 1854 to 1862 — much 
of the time as Sj^eaker or President pro Umpcre, he entered the Senate of the 
United States and has been there ever since. His new term will carry him 
one third into the la^t decade of tiie present century. The Senator is a man 
of judicial habits of thought and manner. He is often called "Saint (leroiue" 



90 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

on account of his resemblance to that ecclesiastical celebrity. He-is a man of 
learning and logic. While he never grows enthusiastic over persons, he has 
a warm side for his friends. 

The second lady in rank in Senatorial longevity is Mrs. Edmunds, a daugh- 
ter of Wyllys Lyman, of the Connecticut family of that name, whose father 
settled at the mouth of White river during the early part of the century. She 
is a granddaughter of Charles March, a Representative from Vermont in Con- 
gress during the administration of Madison. Mrs. Edmunds is a lady rf small 
figure and quiet and retiring manner. Her daughter, Mary M. Edmunds, 
assists her in doing the honors of the elegant residence of the Senator. She 
is an excellent conversationalist and a fine equestrienne, her father and herself 
enjoying the healthful recreation of a gallop among the hills adjacent tj the 
capital- 

The little " Diamond State," Delaware, in the days of William Penn, "the 
Territories of Pennsylvania^" is represented by a tall, slim, g ay-haired, kindly 
bachelor, Eli Saulsbury, seventy years of age and in continuity of service, en- 
titled to the courtesy of "Father" of the Democratic side of the Senate. He 
springs from the noted family of that name. He is one of three brothers, 
Willard, Gove, and Eli, who ran things in the Dover end of the little Com- 
monwealth. He succeeded his brother Willard in the Senate in 1871. In the 
first contest Willard's brother-in-law, who had just been inaugurated Gov- 
ernor, turned in for Eli, the Legislature being a tie, and secured his election; 
and, as a quieter, made the defeated brother Chancellor. The Senator, dur- 
ing the season, has his niece. Miss Saulsbury, of Dover, a very agreeable 
young lady, visit him and attend to his social duties. She usually has with 
her some Delaware friends, who enjoy the fascinations of capital life with her. 

Next in point of years as a Senator, is Matt W. Ransom, a native of North 
Carolina, born in 1828, a planter and lawyer. He was a Peace Commissioner 
to the Confederate Congress, and afterwards one of the most able command- 
ers in the Confederate service. He entered the United States Senate in 1872. 

Tlie wife of Senator Ransom is a remarkable woman. She was Hattie 
Exum, of an old family of wealth and influence on the Roanoke river, where 
they still live. A story is told of the Senator when he ran for his first 
office, that of Attorney General of the "Old North State." There were 
many suitors for the hand of Miss Exum, the belle of the Roanoke valley. 
The Senator was then a Whig, one of the true blues cf the "Tar State " It 
was noised about that Miss Hattie would not accept his proffer cf marriage if 
he were defeated. The Whigs and Democrats who recognized in liim one of 
the most popular young men in the State vied with each other m giving him 
their support. When the returns were counted Ransom was elected by an 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 9I 

almost imntiimous vote, an4 the accxjmjJislied daughter of Roanoke became 
the wife of North Carolina's favorite son. 

Mrs. Ransom is one of the most highly educated ladies in the South. She 
reared and fitted each one of her six sons for coUeye, and has the motherly satis- 
fa;tion of seeing two of her "boys " rising lawyers, one a prosperous farmer, 
another with the Senator as his private secretary, and two at the University 
of North Carolina. Her only daughter, Esther, is skilled in languages and 
j)ainting, and will make her entrance into society next season. 

William B. Allison, of Iowa, is another of the interesting figures of the Sen- 
ate. He is a year younger than Edmunds, and six years younger than Sher- 
man. Born in Ohio in 1S29, he studied law and was admitted to the bar of 
Mansfield, at the same time with his Senatorial coteniporary Sherman, but 
went to Iowa, 1857. He entered Congress in 1863, and the Senate ten years 
later. He has been a jirominent figure in the deliberations of both Houses, 
and has been chairman of leading committees. In the formation of the Gar- 
field administration he declined the Secretaryship of the Treasury. 

The Senator a few years ago met with the loss of his wife, who was a great 
favorite in Washington society, under most distressing circumstances. She 
\\ as Mary Neally, the niece and adopted daughter of Senator Grimes, of Iowa. 
Since the death of Mrs Allison, Mrs. Grimes has presided over the house- 
hold and social affairs of Senator Allison. Mrs. Grimes, who had long ex- 
perience in public affairs with her husband, is one of the most remarkable 
elderly woman in Washington. Her acquaintance with public men and poli- 
tics for a period of nearly forty years, gives her .1 fund of information of men 
and measures possessed by few persons living to-day. She is the center of a 
large circle of fi lends, some of them among liie last of the historic men and 
women of the administration of President Lincoln. 

The "Silver Senator," John P. Jones of Nevada, is an Englishman by 
birth, in 1830, but the year after that domestic event, his ])arents settled in 
Ohio. He went to California with the pioneers, and with farming and 
mining, mingled the duties of a State legislator. He became prominent in 
the development of the mineral resources of Nevada, and in 1873 became one 
of its Senators. The Senator is a man of positive influence in his private and 
jtublic relations. He is a staunch advocate of silver, the staple product of his 
constituents. 

Mrs. Jones was (ieorgiana F. .Sullivan, the accomplished and beautiful 
daughter of Eugene V. Sullivan, of .San Francisco, one of the earliest of the 
"Forty-niners." Her grandfather was N'oundt, the celebrated ])l<)neer and 
Imlian fighter, who went to California some jears m advance of the Argonauts 
of '49. I Icr mother also bore the har<lshi]is and adventures of a journey 



92 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

across the plains, at the time when the Mississippi river was tlie Ultima Thula 
of western civilization. Mrs. Jones was a great belle in her maiden days, 
and being in her early thirties, is one of the active ladies in the Senatorial 
circle. The eldest of her three daughters is just entering her teens. The 
Senators niece, Mertie Jones, daughter of Judge James M. Jones, of Cleve- 
land, passed part of the season in Washington. 

Of the five Senators who entered in 1875, Senators Dawes and Cockrell 
were alone re-elected in the last turn of the Senatorial wheel, which at the 
end of their terms in 1893, ^'^^ have given them eighteen consecutive years of 
service. 

Senator Henry Laurens Dawes was born in Western Massachusetts seven- 
ty-one years ago, but is remarkably well preserved, being in perfect vigor of 
intellect and body. He began life as a school teacher and editor, and was in the 
Legislature of his State four years as early as 1848. His congressional expe- 
rience began in 1857. He was identified with the great parliamentary battles 
of the Republicans in those days. He served in nine Congresses before he 
entered the Senate of the United States as the successor of Charles Sumner. He 
is a strict party man and ready debater, participatmg freely in the discussion 
of a wide range of questions. 

The Senator's marriage was a pleasant little romance. When he left college 
he became teacher at the Sanderson academy, at Ashfield, Massachusetts. 
Among his pupils was Electa A. Sanderson, one of the biightest young ladies 
in the school. Under his kind tuition she graduated with honor, and soon 
after became the wife of her preceptor, now the Senator from Massacliusetts. 
The Sanderson family were among the first settlers in the Connecticut valley. 

The Senator's daughter, Anna Laurens Dawes, has tastes which run to 
weightier subjects than usually engage the literary inclinations of the feminine 
mind. As a writer on political subjects she exhibits a clear insight into the 
mazes of American politics. Her writings illustrate a remarkable strength 
of intellect. Her work, "How we are Governed; an Explanation of the 
Constitution and Government of the United States; a Book for Young Peo- 
ple," is the result of much research and close personal observation during her 
residence at Washirgton. An article, "The Hammer of the Gentiles,'' at- 
tracted great attention. An address, "The Modern Jew; His Present and 
Future," created widespread popularity, and was printed at the office of the 
Amc>-ican Hebrew. She is also a valued contributor to magazines. As a type 
of the coming generation of daughters cf America. Miss Dawes is one of the 
most prominent. At her home at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she established 
the "Wednesday Morning Club," consisting of about thirty young ladies, 
which is said to be the finest woman's literary club in the United States. Her 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 93 

home being in the romantic Berkshire Hills, through her acquaintance in 
Washington she has many persons of prominence visit that charming region 
during the summer, who give the club the benefit of their jiresence by lectures 
and readings. 

The Senator has two sons, one a lawyer in Chicago, and one in college. 

Francis Marion Ccckrell, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, fifty-three 
years ago, was educated there, studied his profession and practiced it there, 
but never held an office until he entered the Senate of the United States, 
which was twelve years ago. The best characterization of his hold upon the 
confidence and admiration of his fellow-citizens, was his third election, which 
gave him an extension of six years in his Senatorial career. 

One of the best-known ladies of the Southern Senatorial circle is Mrs. 
Cockrcll. She was Anna Ewing, a native of Missouri, and daughter of Judge 
Ephraim Esving, of the Supreme Court of that State. Mrs. Cockrell is one of 
the finest looking married ladies in Washington, being very tall and of queenly 
figure and grace. Her eldest daughter, who is now eleven years of age and 
at school, gives promise of great beauty, and many accomplishments. 

John H. Mitchell, the genial and courtly Senator from the distant State of 
Oregon, went from western Pennsylvania, where he was born, fifty-two j ears 
ago, to California as a young lawyer, and to Oregon in i860, a year after it 
was admitted as a State. He was a lawyer of prominence and ability, and by 
a singular coincidence was in partnership with his present colleague in the 
Senate. His legislative experience was garnered in the State Senate of 
Oregon, during two out of his four years l)eing its President. He entered 
the Senate in 1S73, but in the whirligig of politics dropped out in 1879, and 
reappeared in 18S5 to the great gratification of his party friends. 

The Senator's wife and daughter are very popular in Washington society. 
Mrs. Mitchell was Maltie E. Price, daughter of J. B. Price, a retired English 
merchant. Her daughter Mattie was one of the belles of the season. She is 
of petite figure, with asymmetrically tapering waist, the faceofa Greek girl, a 
mouth modeled after cupid's bow, dark eyes luminous with emotion and a 
manner full of grace and vivacity. Excellent in conversation, either in her 
mother tongue or in the language of the gay Parisians, she is full of spirit and 
keeps her train of admirers in unceasing eagerness and enthusiasm. Miss 
Mitchell represents the training of the famous ladies' seminary of I'"ontain- 
bleau. Her mother, anxious to give her the benefit of the highest culture, 
went to France and, ])lating her daughter at school, remained with her three 
years, during the entire time of her finishing course. They then returned to 
the United States. In 1885, after the election of the Senator to his present 
term, the mother and daughter again visited Euroi)e, making the tour of all 



94 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the great capitals of the Old World. She was the most admired among the 
American young ladies at the Court levees of the President of the French Re- 
public, and was specially honored at a reception given by the General of the 
French army. The return of Miss Mitchell and her mother to Washington 
was the occasion of cordial greetings in all circles of the higher fashionable 
life of the American capital. At the British Legation she was invited to a din- 
ner given in her honor. Her presence, much sought for, is an attraction at 
the finest social gatherings. Mrs. Maggie L. Handy, another daughter, a 
beautiful young vvoman, resides with her husband, William Handy, in Wash- 
ington. The Senator has a very interesting family in the children of his rirst 
wife. His eldest daughter is married to Jesse Benton Chapman, a lawyer of 
Tacoma, son of Professor Chapman, of University College, Ohio. The sec- 
ond daughter, Jennie, is the wife of Jacob Fawcett, of Canton, Ohio, recently 
appointed judge. The .Senator's son by this marriage is a lawyer at Seattle, 
W. T. 

Henry M. Teller, from New York, where he was born in 1830, went to 
Illinois twenty-eight years after as a young and ambitious lawyer, but 
three yeais later moved out to Colorado to grow up with the country. His 
success was so marked that he was chosen one of the first Senators of the 
United States from the Centennial S.ate, in the year of the first centennial of 
American Independence. He was invited into the Cabinet of President Arthur, 
after his installation in 1882, and upon the close of that administration in 1885 
was immediately returned to the Senate. 

Mrs. Teller was Harriet M. Bruce, of Allegheny county, New York, the 
native place of the Senator. Her daughter Emma is a young lady of unusual 
gifts of mind which are being strengthened and expanded by a thorough course 
at Wellesly Female College. 




THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 95 



CHAPTER XIV. 

The Senators and their Ladies— Continued. 

Senator Cameron— senators voorhees and beck — senator plumb — 

senator butler— SKNATOR hoar— senators MORC.AN, MCPHERSON, 
HARRIS, COKE, AND HAMITON — SENATORS HAWI.EY AND PI. ATT — SENA- 
TORS HALE, FRYK, ALDRICH, SAWYER, AND BLAIR — SENATORS GORMAN, 
VEST, VANCE, PUGH, GEORGE, AND CALL — THE LADIES UF THEIR FAMILIES. 

>.'/y ONTINUING the story of the social surroundings of the Senators, we 
find, after those enjoying seniority of service, a number filhns:; a middle 
period of years, beginning 1S77 to iSSi, and ending 1889 to 1891. 

James Donald Cameron entered the Senate in 1877, at forty-four years of age, 
succeeding Ids father, who had been four times elected and had seen eighteen 
years of service. Growing up a man of business as a banker, at Middletown, 
Pennsylvania, where he was born, and railroad president, he also inherited 
skill in politics. With his Pennsylvania delegation he was recognized as a 
power in the Republican conventions of l86S-'76 and 1880, and was largely 
instrumental in preventing the nomination of Mr. Blaine, and afterwards in 
accomplishing the election of Hayes and Garfield. Although rarely heard m 
the debates of the Senate, he wields great influence. He is no orator, but his 
speeches are practical and convincing. 

I lis young, beautiful and admired wife and accomplished daughters have 
made the social life and surroundings of his home at the capital among the 
foremost centers of attraction in fashionable life. The present Mrs. Cameron 
was Elizabeth .Sherman, daughter of Judge Charles Sherman, of Cleveland, 
the eldest brother of Senator and General .Slierman. The first Mrs. Cameron 
was Miss McCormick, daugliter of James McCormick, one of the most influ- 
ential and wealthy citizens of Ilarrisburg, Pa. 

The Senator's daughter, Eliza Cameron, is the wife of W. H. Bradley, son 
of Justice Bradley, of the Supreme Court of the United States, and resides 
in Newark, N. J. Virginia Cameron is the wife of Lieut. Alexander Rodgers, 
of the United States cavalry, and son of Admiral C. R, P. Rodgers. Miss 
Mary Cameron, who is in society, is beautiful and accomplished. The next 
child is James McCormick Cameron. Two younger daughters, at school in 
New York, are Margueretti and Rachel. 

Senator Voorhees entered the .Senate in 1877, upon the death of Oliver P. 
Morton. lie is sixty years of age, and has been a prominent actor in the 
Congressional and social life of ^^■a^^hinglon much of the time since 1861. His 
tall and well proportioned physicjue has given him the popular soubriquet. 



96 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

"The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash." lie has a fine voice, and is an excel- 
lent speaker. 

A great affliction befel the household of the Senator and the circle of Sena- 
torial ladies in the sudden death of his wife, who was Anna Hardesty, daugh- 
ter of an early planter of the Shenandoah valley, but who moved to Indiana 
where Mrs. Voorhees was born. The Senators daughter, Harriet Voorhees, is 
well known in society. His eldest son, Charles Stewart Voorhees, represents 
Washington Territory as a Delegate in Congress. Another son is the Sena- 
tor's private secretary, and another a physician in New York. 

Senator Janits Burnie Beck, who is sixty-five years of age, possesses all the 
rugged virtues of his Scotch birth ar.d education. He began his career in the 
House of Representatives in 1867, remaining during four terms, and entered 
the Senate in 1877. The Senator is a ready speaker and takes an active part 
in the discussion of most questions before the Senate. The unexpected death 
of Mrs. Beck deprived society of one of its most interesting members. She 
was Jane Washington Thornton, granddaughter of Colonel John Thornton, of 
Virginia, aid to General Washington and his first cousin. Her grandmother, 
after whom she was named, was Washington's niece. In his will Washington 
bequeathed one twentieth of his estate each to Jane Thornton and Bettie Lewis. 
Bettie Beck, the Senator's daughter, is the accomplished wife of Major Green 
Clay Goodloe, United States Marine Corps. A son, George Thornton Beck, 
thirty years old, is a ranchman and farmer in Northern Wyoming. 

Preston B. Plumb, of Kansas, prominent on the floor of the Senate, as is his 
colleague distinguished in the chair, is fifty years of age, an Ohioan by birth, 
but went to Kansas in 1856, where he filled various public positions and served 
as an officer in the Rebellion. He was an entire stranger to Washington life 
when he entered the Senate in 1877, but since has been one of its interesting 
figures. Mrs. Plumb, owing to ill health, has not appeared in society for 
some time. 

One of the most courtly gentlemen in the Senatorial circle is Matthew C. 
Butler, of South Carolina. His mother was Jane T. Perry, youngest sister 
of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, the hero of the battte of Lake Erie. His 
father, who was a surgeon in the United States navy, met Miss Perry in New- 
port, R. I. She was then a beautiful girl of nineteen. He resigned from the 
navy. They were married, went to South Carolina, and made their home at 
the Butler family seat, Edgefield. The Senator's father was William Butler, 
who succeeded Waddy Thompson in Congress in 1841. His uncle, Col. Pierce 
M. Butler, Governor of South Carolina, commanded the Palmetto regiment in 
the Mexican war, and was killed at Cherebusco. Senator Butler, after a career 
at the bar and in the State Legislature, served with distinction in the Confeder- 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. t)) 

ate service, losing a leg in one of the fiercest battles of the war, and entered the 
Sen .te in 1877. At that time he was forty-one years of age. 

Mrs Butler belongs to the best families of llie Palmetto State, and, with her 
daughters, has always been the center of an attractive circle of fiiends in capital 
society. 

George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, who has crossed the line of sixty in 
years, has been more or less prominent in political life in Massachusetts since 
1852. He was in the National Conventions of 1876, 1880 and 1884, presiding 
over that of 1880. He was one of the electoral commission of 1876. He 
is more of a collegian than a society man, has a number of degrees, and belongs 
to many learned societies. Mrs. Hoar mingles but little in society, owing to 
her health. 

John T. Morgan, of Alabama, born in 1824, started in political life as S 
Presidential elector at large in 1S60, for Breckenridge ar.d Lane. He rose 
from private to Bridgadier Cieneral in tlie Confederate service. Upon the re- 
turn of peace he resumed the practice of law, continuing until his elevation to 
the Senate in 1877. The Senator is a gentleman of quiet manners, but inter- 
esting in social conversation. Mrs. Morgan was Cornelia Willis, of Alabama. 
Her two daughters, Mary and Cornelia, are young ladies of great gentleness 
and winning ways. George Morgan, a son, is a merchant at Alma, Arkansas. 

In the Senatorial representation of New Jersey is John Roderi; McPherson, 
a Jersey City alderman, president of a gas company, a State Senator and Til- 
den elector before he entered the ujijier branch of Congress in 1877, at forty- 
four years of age. He entertains handsomely. Mrs. McPherson, who was 
a Miss Gregory, is a leader of Washington society, and forms one of that cir- 
cle of married ladies who ornament the social life of the Democratic side of the 
Senate. Although politics has nothing to do with the gay life of the capital, 
it has some influence in l)ringing ladies into closer social intercourse than 
might otherwise occur. In the circ!eof her friends she is very popular. She 
has a handsome son, Gregory, now a student at the Pennsylvania Military 
Academy. 

Among the Senators who also began their terms in 1877, arc Isham G. 
Harris, of Tennessee, and Richard Coke, of Texas. After serving two terms 
in Congress, 1849 to 1853, Mr. Harris turned his attention to law and poli- 
tics, having been elected Governor, and having served on the staff of the 
commanding general of the Confederate army of the Tennessee He per- 
sued his profession upon the restoration of peace until he entered the .Senate. 
Senator Coke, a native of Virginia, went to Texas a few years after its inde- 
pendence to practice law. He took up arms in t';e southern cause and was 
subsecjuently a udge, and resigned the governorship to e ter the Senate. 

7 



98 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

General Wade Hampton, like his colleague, belongs to one of the promi- 
nent families of South Carolina in colonial, Revolutionary, State, and Na- 
tional affairs. He was born in Charleston in 1818, rose to Governor and en- 
tered the Senate of the United States in 1879. Mrs. Hampton, a daughter 
of Governor and Senator McDuffy, and her daughter Mary Singleton Hamp- 
ton, fill a pleasant place in the Senatorial circle. Miss Hampton is tall, with 
a commanding figare, and remarkable powers of conversation. 

The State of Connecticut h's in Gen. Joseph R. Hawley and Orvill H. Piatt, 
two Senators who figure prominently in the social life of Washington. Gen. 
Hawley is a descendant of Samuel Hawley, who settled at Strafford in 1639. 
His father, as a young man, went to North Carolina to seek his fortune and 
married there. Owing to this circumstance, Joseph R. Hawley was the only 
direct descendant of the settler of Strafford born outside the boundaries of 
Connecticut. He returned to Hartford as a young man and engaged in law 
and journalism. He was editor, Brevet Major General, Governor, President 
of the Convention of 1868, which nominated U. S. Grant for President, and 
Representative in Congress before he entered the United States Senate in 1881. 
The Senator is socially represented ]>y Miss Kate Foote, who has presided 
over his household since the death of her sister, Harriet Foote Hawley, during 
the season of 1885-6. Their aunt was the wife of Lyman Beecher, the mother 
of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Miss Kate Foote, Ade- 
line Hawley, cousin of the Senator, and Margaret Hawley, a niece and 
adopted daughter, make up the Senator's family. Miss Foote is the regular 
Washington correspondent of the Independent, New York, and contributor to 
the Century and other magazines. 

Senator Piatt, a prominent figure, politically, officially and socially in Con- 
necticut, where he was born in 1827, did not enter the social life of the 
National Capital until he did so as a Senator eight years ago. Mrs. Piatt was 
Annie P. Bull, daughter of James B. Bull, residing near Towanda, Pa. She 
is a niece of Chief Justice Lewis, of Pennsylvania. Her father was also one 
of the pioneer editors of Bradford county and a Canal Commissioner of the 
early days. Mrs. Piatt is a most estimable lady, and a great favorite in 
society. 

The State of Maine is represented in the Senatorial circle by Eugene Hale, 
who became a Senator in 1881, as the successor of Hannibal Hamlin, and Wil- 
liam P. Frye, who entered upon the resignation of James G. Blaine, in 1881. 
. Both gentlemen have distinguished records in National legislation in both 
Houses of Congress. Senator Hale declined the Postmaster Generalship in 
the Grant, and the Secretaryship of the Navy in the Hayes administrations, 
preferring the influence of his position in Congress. Senator Frye, with his 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. 99 

colleague, is one of the foremost champions of the rights of American fisher- 
men, a. re .dy debator, forcible speaker, and an attractive member of Wash- 
ington society. The Hale family settled in Massachusetts in 1630, at Newbury. 

The ladies of the families of the Senators from Maine are also well known 
and jiopular in society. Mrs. Hale was Mary Chandler, only child of the 
Michigan stalwart "Zack" Chandler, millionaire, Senator, Cabinet Minister 
and jiolitical leader in the days of the Senatorial oligarchy and heroic methods 
of political manipulation. Mrs. Krye was Caroline F. Spear, daughter of the 
brave old skipper, Captain Arch Spear, of Rockland, Me. His heroic deeds 
on the great deep are among the treasures of the folk-lore of the rock ribbed 
coast of the Pine Tree State. Her two cliarming daughters, Helen E., now 
Mrs. Wallace H. White, of Lewiston, Me., whose husband is a prominent 
lawyer, and Alice, now Mrs. Frank H, Briggs, of Auburne, Me., whose hus- 
band is a fancy stock raiser are well known in Washington society. 

Nelson W. Aldrich is one of the handsome members of the Senatorial cir- 
cle, and is in the pri.ue of life, being forty-six. He began his active career 
as a merchant, but drifting into politics, was in the Providence council, Rhode 
Island Legislature, and was chosen Senator of the United States while still in 
tlie House of Representatives. 

Mrs. Aldrich was Abby P. Green, the beautiful ward of one of Providence's 
well-known merchants. Her daughter Lucy, will finish school this year, and 
will make her debut in Washington next winter. Her second daughter, Ab- 
by, not in her teens, is under the instruction of a governess. There are also 
five boys in the Senator's family, who are being educated under the care of 
Mrs. Aldrich. 

Phdetus Sawjer went westward with his parents from Vermont to New 
York, and as a young man of thirty-one, engaged in lumbering in Wisconsin, 
in which he amassed a large fortune. He has always been active in Repub- 
lican Stale and National jiolitics. He was in Congress from 1865 to 1873, 
and became a Senator in 18S1. His wife was Malvina M. Hadley, also a na- 
tive of Vermont. They were married in Essex county. New York. Mrs. 
Sawyer being an invalid, her daughter Mrs. Howard G. White, of Syracuse, 
New ^'ork, presides over her father's household during the season at Wash- 
ington, and makes his social surroundings unusually attractive. 

Henry W. Blair, of New Hampshire, entered the .Senate in 1879, after two 
terms spent in the House. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel tlirough the 
war. He is fifty three years of age and takes an active interest in legislation 
to secure moral reforms. The Senators Scotcli-Irish ancestors from London- 
derry, Ireland, settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. 

Mrs. Blair was Eliza A. Nelson, of Plymouth, N. H., daughter of Rev. 



lOO SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

William Nelson, an expounder of the faith of John Wesley, and intimate per- 
sonal and life-long friend of President Pierce, who tendered liim the appoint- 
ment of cliaplain of his regiment for the Mexican war. Mrs. Blair is a lady 
of abundant charitab'e work. She has from the beginning lieen connected with 
the establisliment and struggles of the Garfield Hospital, Washington. The 
Senator and his amiable wife take an active part in the social gayeties of the 
eapital during the season. 

Arthur P. Gorman is the politician of the Democratic side of the Senate. 
He began life as a page in the Senate. He has always played a prominent 
part in Maryland politics. He was forty-one years of age when, in i88i, he 
defeated William Pinkney White, a most astute politician, for a seat in the 
United States Senate. He was one of the most energetic leaders of the Cleve- 
land campaign, of 1884, and has ever since enjoyed the closest relations with 
the administration. 

The Senator is represented socially by one of the leaders of Washington 
fashionable life. Mrs. Gorman is remembered at the picturesque and busy 
capital of Berks, in Pennsylvania, as tlie beautiful Hannah Donegan, daughter 
of Dr. Joseph Donegan, of Reiding. When she became Mrs. Gorman she 
was the widow of Jordan Schwartz, one of the brightest lights of the Berks 
county bar. Arthur P. Gorman met and married in Wasliington this lady who 
has adorned his household during most of his rising career, from when still 
holding a subordinate place in the body of which he is now a distinguished mem- 
ber. His diughters, who inherit the attractions and gifts of their mother, are at 
school. A young son is his father's constant companion in his hours of leisure. 

George Graham Vest, of Missouri, born in Kentucky in 1830, a man of 
fine education, after serving a year in the Confederate army, was a Represent- 
ative and Senator in the Confederate Congress, and entered the United States 
Senate in 1878. Senator Vest is a fine speaker, and equally popular in the 
Senate and in society. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. Both his paternal and 
maternal grandfathers served under Washington from the beginning to the 
close of the Revolutionary war. 

Mrs. Vest was Sarah E. Sneed, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, 
and was the daughter of Alexander Sneed, whose father was a Revolutionary 
soldier, and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and two years, having 
died at his son's residence near Danville, Kentucky, in the year 1855. Her 
mother's name was Campbell, belonging to the Campbell family near Abing- 
ton, Va. ; her grandfather. Col. William Campbell, commanded a regiment in 
the American army at the battle of King's mountain. 

Senator Vest has one daughter, the wife of G. P. B. Jackson, a lawyer re- 
siding at Sedalia, Missouri. 

Zebulon B. v'ance, a native of Buncombe county. North Carolina, dating 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. lOI 

back to 1830, is one of tlie characters of the 'enatoiial and social circles. His 
conversational powers are unique and amusing, and liis fund of good stories 
inexliaustible. He was in Congress from 1857 to 1861, when he took a dash 
at war at the head of a Confederate regiment, but was made Governor in 1862. 
In 1870 he applied for admission to the Senate, but was refused. Having 
been defeated in a second trial by bolters, and meanwhile elected Governor for 
the third lime, in 1879 he was again elected and was given his seat. The wife 
of the Senator was Florence Steele, of Louisville, Ky., but became Mrs. Vance 
after she had been Mrs. Martin She is a lady of many attractions, and has 
many friends in society, being the central figure of a large social circle. 

James L. I'ugh, one of the working members of the Senate, is a Georgian, 
but went to Alabama in 1824, when four years of age. He was a Taylor Whig 
elector in 184S, a Buch-nan Democratic elector in 1856, and entered Congress 
in 1859, but left it when Alabama seceeded. He was in the Confederate ser- 
vice as a private, but left that duty for a seat in the Confedera'e Congress. 
He entered the Senate of the United States in 1880. 

Mrs. Pugh was Sara Serena Hunter, daughter of Gen. John L. Hunter, of 
South Carolina, who removed to Alabama in 1835, when his daughter was 
quite young. The Senator's daughter, Laura Theresa, is the wife of Alfred 
\V. Cochran, Assistant Journal Clerk of the House of Representatives, and 
another daughter is Mrs. J. D. Elliott, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has 
four sons, Edward L., James L., John C, and Henry L. Pugh. 

James Z. George was a private in Col. Jefferson Davis' regiment of Missi- 
sippians in the Mexican war. He is the compiler of a number of law Reports 
and Digests, voted for and signed the ordinance of secession of Mississippi, 
and went into the field. He was Chief Just ice of the Supreme Court of Mississip- 
pi, which he resigned in 1881 to take his seat in the Senate of the United States. 

The Senator's wife was Elizabeth Young, of Carrollton, Mississippi. Her 
five daughters are Eli/.abeih, an exceedingly bright young lady who acts as 
private secretary to her father and represents him socially during her mother's 
absence; Eannie, wife of Mr. T. J. George, merchant of Meriden; Emma, 
wife of Mr. J. B. Hemingway, lawyer of Jackson; Kate, wife of Mr. F. M. 
.Mdridge, planter of Yazoo Delta, and Mary, the wife of Rev. William Hayne 
Lcavell, a Congregational pastor near Boston, Massachusetts. He has four 
sons residing in Mississi|)pi. 

Wilkinson Call, a Kentuckian by birth, was chosen to the United States 
Senate by the Florida I,egi^lature immediately after the war of the Rebe.lion, 
but was refused admission. He again lianded in credentials in 1879, as Sena- 
torial Ambassador of the lan<l of Flowers, and took his seat. Mrs. Call was 
Miss Carrie Sinijjkins of South Carolina. Her grandfather was a distinguished 
Representative in Congress from the Palmetto .State. 



I02 • SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Junior Senators and their Ladies. 

Senators evarts, Stanford, wilson, cullom, farwell, sapin, man- 
derson, palmer, dolph, chace, spooner, bowen, and the ladies 

OF THEIR FAMILIES— senator RIDDLEBERGER — SENATORS KENNA, GIB- 
SON, EUSTIS, BOWEN, COLQUITT, PAYNE, GRAY, BLACKBURN, WILSON, 
WALTHALL, JONES, BERRY — THEIR LADIES. 



^yAyMONG the Junior Senators are those of the distingtiished circle of the 
ff\ "PP^'" Ijranch of Congress who are now in the first term of their Sena_ 
Hij torial career. 

Senator Wilham Maxwell Evarto, of New York and the ladies of his family, 
are not strangers to Washington society. As Attorney General, and later as 
Secretary of State, he resided there, kept house, and entertained elegantly. 
Mrs. Evarts, who was Helen M. Wardner, of Windsor, Vt., is one of the old- 
time ladies in the dignity of her presence, the grace of her manner and the re- 
serve of her conversation. Her father was a bank president at Windsor, 
State Treasurer of Vermont, and a man of large influence 

When Mr. Evarts graduated in 1873, at nineteen years of age, he went to 
W^indsor, where he passed a year in the family of a married sister, Mrs. Tracy. 
During these early days he met the young lady who was destined to ornament 
the social side of his eminent career. He was admitted to the bar of New 
York in 1841, at the age of twenty three. Two years after he went to Wind- 
sor, and took Miss Wardner for his bride He returned to New York and 
embarked in the duties of life. His own genius as an orator and attorney 
gave him rank with O'Conner, Tiiden, and tjie old school of great lawyers of 
the metropolis. 

The Senator's eldest daughter, Hetty Sherman, is Mrs. Charles C. Beaman. 
Mr. Beaman was formerly private secretary to Charles Sumner, later solicitor 
for the Government before the tribunal of Geneva, and now a member of Mr. 
Evarts law firm in New York. Miss Mary might be said to be the executive 
member of the Senator's household, as she greatly relieves her mother of her 
domestic cares and social duties. Helen Wardner is Mrs. Charles H. Tweed, 
wife of an eminent lawjer of New York ; Elizabeth is wife of Edward C. Per- 
kins, son of Boston's art author, the late Charles C. Perkins, and Louisa is 
the wife of Charles C. Scudder, a young physician of New York city, son o( 
Ex-Representative H. J. Scudder. Of the Senator's sons, Charles B. has 
charge of his father's estates at Windsor and in the Hampshire Hills. Allen 
W. is a lawyer of marked ability, and has for many years been a member of 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. I03 

his father's firm. Shernia)! is also a lawyer. Prescolt, the twin brother of 
the latter, is assistant rector of the Protestant Ejiiscopal Ciiurch of tlic Holy 
Communion, New York city, and Maxwell, a perfect comterpart of his father, 
and who apparently has inherited a large share of his forensic gifts, has just 
been admitted to the bar. 

One of the most genial men in society, and one of the most remarkable arch- 
itects of his own career is Leland Stanford, of California. He was born in 
1824 in New York. Gathered knowledge in an academy, studied law, was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and went to \Visconsin. In 1852 he joined his brothers in 
California, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. His first appearance in Na- 
tional politics was as a delegate to the convention of 1S60, which nominated 
Abraham Lincoln, and later was Governor of Califorifia. As President of the 
Central Pacific railroad, he supei intended the construction of five hundred and 
thirty miles of road in two hundred and ninety-three days over the .Sierra Ne- 
vadas, an unparalleled feat in railroad building. He entered the Senate in 
1885. Possessing vast wealth, he lives in princely elegance. Mrs. Stcnford, 
Owing to the death of her son, has not taken much part in social affairs, al 
though she receives her friends. The Senator enjoys social life, and in his 
personal intercourse shows that though a millionare a dozen times over, he 
is still a man of the people. 

The highest tribute to the success of popular institutions in the United 
States is the ready adaptability of its men and women to the requirements of 
the official or social life to which they may be called. The career of Sena- 
tor James F. Wilson, of Iowa, since he first entered the House of Representa- 
tives in 1861, and the culture, refinement and popularity of his estimable wife 
in the higher circles of the social life of the capital are forcilile illustrations of 
this fact. Senator Wilson, the son of a carpenter, born at Newark, Ohio, be- 
came a harness maker's apprentice to help eke out an humble living for his 
mother's family, left largely to his care by the death of his father when he was 
but nine years of age. For years he worked at harness-making as appren- 
tice and journeyman, meanwhile taking an academic course and stuilying law. 

During these days of toil and self-denial, Mary Jewett, the daughter of 
Alphcus Jewett, a blacksmith of Newark, was growing up among a family of 
children. In 1851 the journeyman harness-maker, after twenty-five years of 
struggle against the world, was admitted to the bar of Licking county. Mary 
Jewett, the blacksmith's daughter, became Mrs. Wilson. The young coujjIc, 
full of hope, went to the then wild West, and settled at Fairfield, Iowa. But 
ten slu)rt years after the harness-maker of Newark was the Representative 
from P'airficM in Congress, and the blacksmith's daughter was one of the most 
attractive of the ladies o( the Representatives' circle. Two years after she was 



I04 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the wife of the cliairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House, and but 
sixteen years from the time she went West with her husband to grow up witli 
the country, she entered the higher social life of the families of the Senators. 
She has two sons — one a promising attorney and another at college. Her 
daughter, Mary B. Wilson, has enjoyed, under the charge of her mother, the 
benefits of careful education and has taken her place in the social world. 

Shelby M. Cullom, of Illinois, began his career in National politics as an 
elector on the Filmore ticket in 1856. He was prominent in legislative affairs, 
was in Congsess 1865-71, a delegate to National conventions, and Governor 
of his State,which he resigned to take a seat in the Senate of the United States 
in 1883. He is fifty-eight years of age, afTable and approachable. 

Mrs. Cullom was Julra Fisher, of Springfield. Her family came from Penn- 
sylvania, where she was born. She is one of the ornaments of the circle ot 
the married ladies of Senators' families. Her daughter Catharine, is also a 
great favorite. The Senator's eldest daughter Ella, is the wife of W. B. 
Ridgeley, of Springfield, Illinois. 

Charles B. Farwell, who succeeded Senator Logan, upon the death of that 
distinguished soldier and statesman, after an early career as a merchant, and 
in Chicago politics beginning in 1853, was elected to Congress three times, 
and declined other nominations. He is a man of fine presence. 

Mrs. Farwell was Mary E. Smith, of South Williamstown, Mass , one of 
the most popular young ladies of the romantic Berkshire hills. Mrs. Regi- 
nald de Coven, who was Anna Farwell, the eldest daughter of the Senator, is 
a beautiful and highly educated lady under thirty. Mr. de Coven, a son of 
one of Chicago's merchant princes, is a young gentleman of twenty-eight years 
of age, of fine presence and genial manners. He comes of old Revolutionary 
stock of the celebrated family of De Covens of Middletown, Conn. His uncle was 
the founder of Racine college, in Wisconsin, and another uncle is Judge Dickey, 
of New York. Miss Grace Farwell finished her education at Farmington, 
Conn. Miss Rose is at school at I-ake Forest University, near Chicago. The 
Senator himself is not only a man of princely fortune, but of princely hospi- 
tality. 

Dwight May Sabin is one of the youngest of the Senatorial circle, being for 
ty-four years of age. After a success in general manufacturing industries in 
Minnesota, and being prominently identified with the Republican National 
conventions of 1872, '76, and '80, he entered the Senate in 1883. He is a man 
of fine appearance, and one of the most popular men in the Senate. 

The wife ot Senator Sabin was Ellen Amelia Hutchins, of Norwich, of an 
old family of Eastern Connecticut. She is very beautiful and popular, and is 
one of the most attractive ladies of the Senatorial rank. The domestic life of 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. IO5 

Senator and Mrs. Sabin is very interesting. Mrs. Sabin was left an orphan 
when very young, which created a tender place in her heart for children liereft 
by death of the tender care of parents, and sheltering comfort and training of 
home. Having no children of her own, she has taken unto herself a liberal 
family of nine children by adoption or support. These homeless little ones 
form an interesting ]iicture of the amount of happiness which a kind and 
motherly heart can bring into this world. Mrs. Sabin also takes great inter- 
est in giving ]ileasure to her young lady acquaintances. As her guests were 
Miss Ada Murjihy, of St. Paul, the accomplished daughter of one of that grow- 
ing metropolis' leading physicians. Also Miss Sadie Williams, of Danielson- 
ville, Conn , a lovely blonde, highly etlucated, an excellent musician, and 
much traveled both at home and abroad. 

Charles F. Manderson, a native of Philadelphia, after a successful career as 
a lawyer and soldier in Ohio, went to Nebraska in 1869, when he was thirty- 
two years of age, where he was also distinguished in State affairs, consummat- 
ing in his election to the United States Senate in 1883. 

Mrs. Manderson was Miss Rebecca S. Brown, of Canton, Ohio, where Mr. 
Manderson settled in 1856. Her father, A. S. Brown, was one of the promi- 
nent lawyers of that State. Her grandfather, John Harris, who settled in 
Ohio in 1814, was an influential Whig politician in the convention at Phila- 
del])liia in 1848. Mrs. Manderson, who is very beautiful, and dresses ele- 
gantly and in excellent taste, takes great pleasure in giving happiness to her 
lady friends by inviting them to Washington, as her guests during the season. 
Among them were Mr. and Mrs Camden C. Dyke and daughters, of Brook- 
lyn. Mr Dyke is a prominent wool merchant. Mrs. Dyke is President of 
the Ladies' Board of Charities of Brooklyn, and interested in the Homoeopathic 
hospital. The daughters, Miriam and Jessie, are two beautiful young ladies, 
and contributed munificently to the pleasure of those with whom they came in 
contact. Miss Hettie Collier, one of the belles of Omaha, also added to the 
many atttrclions of Mrs. Manderson's drawing-rooms. 

Thomas Witherell Palmer is a grandson of James Witherell, a Representa- 
tive from Vermont, who commanded a legionary corps of volunteers, and 
witnessed the surrender of Detroit. He was also one of the Territorial Judges 
of the North-west, appointed by President Jeflerson. The Senator began 
life as a manufacturer, and amassed a large fortune in lumber. Having 
been in the Senate of Michigan for a year, in 1883 he entered the Sennte of 
the United States. He is a man of fifiy seven years of age, very hospitable, 
and lives elegantly. 

Mrs, Palmer, a descendant of Governor Winslow, of Massachusetts, was 
Lizzie Pitts Merrill, whiise father removed from Maine to Michigan when she 



Io6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

was young. She became Mrs. Palmer in 1855. She is an ornament to the 
circle of Senatorial ladies, and is very popular in society. 

Senator Joseph N. Dolph, a tall, full-bodied man of fiity-two, is a native of 
New York, taught school, studied lavCf, was admitted to the bar, and practiced 
there. In 1862 he enlisted in the famous "Oregon Escort" to protect emi- 
grant trains against Indians in crossing the plains, and reaching Portland, 
settled there. He became at once prominentia his practice, and in the Legis- 
lature. He entered the Senate in 1883. The Senator is a Mason of the thir- 
ty-third degree, and Past Grand Master of Odd Fellows of Oregon It was 
he who contested the granting of the certificate as a Presidential elector to 
Cronin by the Democratic Governor Grover, and secured its issue by the Sec- 
retary of State to Dr. Watts, thus securing the necessary electoral votes to 
turn the scale in favor of General Hayes for the Presidency. 

Mrs. Dolph, a beautiful woman, was Augusta Mulkey, daughter of one of 
the early pioneers of Oregon, and was born in the country. She became 
Mrs. Dolph in 1862. Her mother was a member of the family of Browns, of 
Missouri, to which B. Gratz Brown belonged. Her brother, Marion Mul- 
key, is a distinguished lawyer of Portland. Her eldest daughter Agnes, just 
entering the twenties, was one of the belles of last two seasons. Her intro- 
duction into Washington society was the occasion of a grand ball, of six hun- 
dred invitations, represerting the very elite of official and social life at the cap- 
ital. In company with her mother, she made a tour of Europe in 1886. In 
May, 1887, she was married to Richard Nixon, a young journalist of Wash- 
ington. The wedding was a brilliant event in the social world, and was at- 
tended by the most distinguished people at the capital. A younger daughter, 
Ruth Dolph, just entering her teens, also shows a promise of great beauty. 
Four boys, the eldest eighteen years, complete the family. Miss Odeneal, a 
charming lady, niece of the Senator, is one of the most attractive members of 
the younger social life of the Senatorial circ!e. 

Jonathan Chace, who succeeded Henry B. Anthony in 18S5, at the time of 
his death the "Father of the Senate," is a gentleman of cli-.tinguished pres- 
ence, fifty-eight years of age. He was in Congress when ejected to the 
Senate. 

The wife of the Senator from Rhode Island was Jane Moon, of Bucks 
county, of a family cf early prominence in the Society of Friends of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and herself a Quakeress of the orthodox school. Her two 
daughters are young. Senator Chace belongs to the New England Quakers, 
and wears his Quaker garb. His ancestors were among the early sufferers 
from Puritan intolerance towards other religious sects The Senator and Mrs. 
Chace adhere to all the strict principles of their Society, and therefore stanJ 
aloof from the fashionable trifles and follies of gay life at the capital. 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. IO7 

John C Spooner, of Wisconsin, is the youngest looking of the Senators, 
having more the appearance of a man of twenty-one than of forty-five. He 
served through the Rebellion, and later established a valuable jiractice at law, 
in which he was engaged when chosen to the Senate in 1885. 

The Senators amiable wife was Annie Main, of Madison, Wis., whose father 
was a farmer of influence. Her sons, Charles P., aged seventeen. Millet M., 
aged fifteen, and Philip L., aged seven, are at school. The Senator's f\ther 
was a native of New Bedford, Mass., and his mother was Miss Coit, daughter 
of Ex-Sheriff Coit, of Plainfield, Conn. 

Thomas M. Bowen, who was born in Iowa, in 1835, was lawyer and law- 
maker in that State until 1858, when he stepped down into Kansas, while yet 
a territory, was a Captain of Nebraska and later Colonel of Kansas volunteers 
and commanded a brigade in the army of the frontier and later in the seventh 
army corps. He was President of the Constitutional Convention, of Arkansas, 
under reconstruction, was Governor of Idaho, was Judge in Colorado when 
made a State, and in the Legislature when chosen Senator of the United States 
in 1883. The Senator is a man of the active habits and the nervous energy of 
a frontiersman. He is noted for his skill at poker, and for his practical jokes 
in that line on some of his brother Senators and friends. 

Mrs. Bowen, one of the pleasantot ladies in society and very pretty, was 
Margaret Thruston, of Van Buren, Arkansas, daughter of one of the old citi- 
zens of that Stale. 

Harrison H. Riddleberger, a native of Virginia, the second youngest mem- 
ber of the Senate, born in 1844, was Confederate ofhcer, lawyer, legislator, 
and editor before he entered the Senate in 1883. He was a Tilden elector in 
1876, and elector on the Readjuster ticket in 1880. He left the Democratic 
party on the debt question, and since his presence in the Senate has affiliated 
on measures of public policy with the Republicans. He is a man of courage 
and execution, somewhat fiery, fine looking, and of pleasant manners. In the 
present numerical relation of parties in the Senate, he holds the vote which can 
make Republican party movements operative by giving them two majority, or 
canneut'alize their efforts by voting with the Democrats, his old party friends, 
ar.d making the result a tie, there being thirty-eight Republicans, thirty-seven 
Democrats, and Mr. Riddleberger on political questions. The Senalcr's an- 
cestcrs settled in Boutetort county, in Colonial days, and took part in the war 
of the Revolution. His grandfather was a soldier of 1812. 

Mrs. Riddleberger was Emma V. Bellew, of an Albemarle, Virginia, family. 
Her eldest daughter, Lelia, just reaching society age, is very attractive A 
younger diughter, Olive, is at school. Frank Riddleberger, the eldest of four 
sons is editor of the Shenandoah Iloald, a y<jung man of ])roniise in jour- 
nalism. 



Io8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The youngest Senator is John E. Kenna, the son of a farmer of West Vir- 
ginia, and was born in that State in 1848. He served as a private in the 
Confederate army. Studied and practiced law after the war, entered the House 
of Representatives in 1877, and was representative elect when chosen to the 
Senate in 1883. 

Mrs. Kenna was Annie Benninghaus, daughter of a Wheehng merchant. 
The Senator's first wife was Rosa Quigg, also of Whee'ing. His daughter, 
Margaret, now in her teens is attending school. 

Randall Lee Gibson, a lawyer and planter, entered the House of Repre- 
sentatives in 1875, and the Senate from that body in 1883. He is a man of 
study and learning in his profession, gentle in manner, and one of the most 
courteous of Senators. His colleague, James B. Eustis, also a lawyer, was in 
the Confederate service on the staff of General Joe Johnson. He was con- 
spicuous in afifairs during reconstruction in and out of the State Legislature, 
and was in the Senate of the United States 1877-79. His present service be- 
gan 1885. He is very taciturn and scholarly man, having been professor of 
civil law in the University of Louisiana. 

The illness of Mrs. Gibson, culminating in her death, was a sad bereave- 
ment to a large circle of friends. 

She was Mary Montgomery, daughter of R. W. Montgomery, an old time 
merchant of New Orleans and president of the Canal Bank. Mrs. Gibson 
was educated at Heidelberg and Paris and spoke German and French fluently. 

Mrs. Eustis was Ellen Buckner, of the celebrated Kentucky family of that 
name. Her daughter, Marie Eustis, is one of the prettiest young ladies in 
Washmgton. The Eustis family are allied by marriage to the family of the 
Washington millionaire, Corcoran. George Eustis, the brother of the Sen- 
ator, married the only daughter of Mr. Corcoran. The young wife died at 
twenty-eight, leaving two sons and a daughter. The daughter, Louise, is now 
a beautiful young woman entering twenty. She very closely resembles her 
mother, whose portrait hangs in the Louise Home for Gentlewomen, founded 
by her philanthropic grandfather at Washington. Her brother, George Eus- 
tis, educated in Germany, married his cousin, Marie Eustis, daughter of the 
Senator. The young gentleman's father was in the party of Mason and Slide!, 
on their interrupted voyage to Europe as the diplomatic agents of the seceding 
States of the South. The aunt, sister to both fathers. Miss destine Eustis, 
is a stately lady of middle age and very much in demand in society. 

Among the Southern Senators Joseph E. Brown is a peculiarly interesting 
character. He was born in 1821, and began the practice of law in 1846. 
Three years after he drifted into politics. He was the war Governor of his 
State, on the side of the Confederacy. During the war he opposed the policy 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES, IO9 

of Jefferson Davis on the conscript act, but threw no obstacle in the way of 
its execution. After the surrender he became very unpopular on account of 
his recommendation that the people acquiesce and carry out the reconstruction 
measures in good faith. As the Democratic party opposed these measures, as 
a reconstructionist he voted for General Grant, who favored them. In 1868 
he was nominated by the Republicans for United States Senator, but was de- 
feated l)y Joshua Hill, an original Union man, which was the only defeat of 
Ills life In 1S70 he identified himself with the material development of 
Georgia ami amassed a large fortune. He succeeded General Gordon in the 
Senate, by appointment, and was afterwards formally elected. 

Mrs. Brown and her interesting family are among the popular members of 
Washington society. 

The Senator's colleague, Alfred Holt Colquitt, served as a staff officer in the 
Mexican war. He was in Congress in 1853-55; in the Secession convention 
of Georgia, major genernl in the Confederacy, Governor, and in 1883 Sen- 
ator of the United States, He is a man of fine appearance, sixty-three years 
of age, a lawyer of ability, and a fine speaker. 

The oldest Senator next to Mr. Morrill, is Henry B. Payne, of Ohio, the 
former born April 14, and the latter November 30, 1810. He is a native of 
New \'ork, and a lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio, which profession he abandoned for 
;he more lucrative occupation of manufacturing, railroad and other industrial 
enterprises. He was in the Legislature of Ohio, and the unsuccessful Dem- 
ocratic candidate for the United States Senate in 1851, against Salmon P. 
Chase. He also ran again' t that Senator for Governor and was defeated, but 
has always been influential in Democratic politics. He was in the House ot 
Representatives 1S75.7, chairman of the Committee on the Electoral bill, and 
a member of the Electoral Commission which led to the seating of Rutherford 
B. Hayes in the Presidential chair. He entered the Senate in 1885. 

Mrs. Payne was Mary Parry, daughter of Nathan Parry, an old and influ- 
ential merchant of Cleveland. Her eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of 
Charles W. Bingham, merchant of Cleveland. Her second daughter is Flora 
Payne Whitney, the wife of the Secretary of the Navy, ar.d one of the most 
popular and public spirited ladies ever known to Washington social life. The 
Senator's son is the millionaire, Oliver Payne. 

The choice of George Gray to succeed Senator Bayard when he stepped 
into the Premitrship of the administration in 1885, added one of the 
handsome men to the Senate, and in his wife a most attractive woman to so- 
ciety. The Senator is forty- seven, a cousin of Admiral C. R. P. Rogers, the 
Chesterfield of the navy, and a relative of Commodore O. H. Perry, of Lake 
Erie fame. He has been conspicuous in legal matters, professional and offi- 
dial in Delaware. He has also been a power in Stale and National politics. 



no SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The young ladies of New Castle of not a great wliile ago remember Mar- 
garet Black, the beautiful daughter of Dr. Jolm Black, niece of Judge Black, 
of the Superior Court of Delaware, and sister to Lieutenant Commander 
Charles Black, U. S. N. The leaders of fashion at the metropolis of Penn- 
sylvania remember this same Marg'aret Black as one of the most brilliant of 
their choice circle of the very elite of the fashionable life of Philadelphia, Ger- 
mantown, and Chestnut Hill. She is equally attractive as Mrs. Senator 
Gray in the social circle of the upper branch of Congress. 

A true type of a Kentuckian is Joseph Clay Styles Blackburn. lie is of 
the blooded stock of the blue giass region. He is Kentuckian by birth, Ken- 
tuckian by education, Kentuckian by profes'^ion, Kentuckian in gallantry and 
bravery as a soldier of the confederacy, he was in the Kentucky Legislature 
and in the Kentucky delegation in Congress, 1S75, until the Kentucky Legisla- 
ture put him in the Senate of the United States in 18S5. The Senator repre- 
sented in Congress Henry Clay's old district, and lives twelve miles from 
where the great Whig was born. His uncle married Miss Watkins, Mr. 
Clay's half sister. 

Mrs. Blackburn belongs to the old Kentucky family of Graham. She was 
Theresa Graham, daughter of Dr. C. C. Graham, who was honored by a ban- 
quet by the city of Louisville upon attaining his one hundredth birthday. 
Mrs. Blackburn is a great favorite in society, particularly among the ladies 
representing the social circles of the Southern States. Her daughter, Corinne 
Blackburn, named by her father after the heroine of Madame de Stael's ro- 
mance, which he very much admired, is a superior musician, and one of the 
best performers on the piano iti the city. The last was Miss Blackburn's 
first season in Washington society. She has risen, however, to great pop- 
ularity in the higher official circles. 

The junior Senator from the State which honors in its name and greatness 
the wife of Charles II, of England, is Ephraim King Wilson. After a career 
of forty-four years as lawyer, legislator, politician, representative in Congress, 
and judge on the eastern shore of Maryland, he was placed on the roll of Sen- 
ators at sixty-four years of age, in 1885. 

Mrs. Wilson was Julia Knox, of one of the prominent families of southern 
Maryland. Her eldest daughter, Ellen, is Mrs. Marian Ilargis, wife of a 
leading merchant at Snow Hill, Three younger daughters, Nannie, Mary, 
and Ethelyn, are at school. Mrs. Wilson resides in Washington during the 
season, and does her share of the social duties of the Senators' families. In 
the summer she enjoys the ocean breezes of the Atlantic from one side, and 
the softer airs of the Chesapeake from the other, at her home at Snow Hill. 

Edward Cary Walthall, of Mississippi, a lawyer by profession, rose from 



THE SENATORS AND THEIR LADIES. Ill 

Lieutenant to Major General in the Confederate service. He has always lieen 
active in Democratic politics, and was delegate to the four last National Con- 
ventions. He was appointed Senator in 1885, upon the resignation of Mr. 
Lamar to accept the post of Secretary of the Interior, in the Cleveland admin- 
istration, and was subsequently elected for the unexpired term, 1889. The 
Senator is fifty-six years of age, retiring in general society, but free and open 
among his friends. 

His wife was Mary L. Jones, daughter of a planter of Mecklenburg county, 
Va., on tiie Roanoke river. She is a woman of heroic character, and courage. 
During her husband's military service she spent much cf her time in camp 
when he was in commmd under (Jeneral Joe Johnson. Miss Courtenay Wal- 
thall, a niece of the Senator's wife, was adopted when an infant, as a member 
of his family. She is receiving the benefits of a finished education. 

The State of Arkansas is represented in the Senatorial circle, by James K. 
Jones, a private soldier in the Confederate army, a lawyer, planter, member 
of the Legislature, and Congress three times, when elected to the Senate. He 
is forty-eight years of age. Mrs. Jones was Miss Sue Somerville, daughter 
of Judge Willis L. Somerville, of Dallas county, Arkansas. She is a lady of 
fine education, and gentle manners. Her daughter, Miss Sue Jones, is very 
attractive and one of an interesting group of the younger ladies of the families 
of Senators. Among their guests were Mrs J. ^L Somerville, of Centre 
Point, wife of the Clerk of Howard county, Mrs. Jacob Frolich, of Little 
Rock, wife of the Secretary of State, and Miss Annie Somerville, sister of 
Mrs Jones, of Washington, Arkansas. 

Senator James H. Berry, a lawyer Ijy profession, lost a leg in the battle of 
Corinth, on the Confederate side. Subsequently he served in the Legislature, 
on the bench, and as Governor of Arkansas. He succeeded Mr. Garland in 
the Senate upon his appointment as Attorney General in the Cleveland admin- 
istration. He is a man of fine presence, forty-six years of age, and comes 
from a family of old settlers in Arkansas. Mrs. Berry was Lizzie Quaile, 
daughter of a merchant on tlie .\rkansas river, and very agreeable in society. 
Her daughter Xcllie is a young lady of fine social traits. 






112 . SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

The Senators Retired and Elect. 
The departing senators — their ladies who have graced the social 

WORLD OK the CAPITAL — THE INCOMING SENATORS — THEIR SOCIAL SUR- 
ROUNDINGS. 

'~~''^ "^HEN the index finger of the "official" clock of the Senate which 



v^\/ marks upon the disc of time the progress of parliamentary delibera- 
oi_5^ tions touched the meridian hour of March 4, 1887, completing the 
diurnal round of the legislative day of March 3, the gavel of the President 
Jvv tempore sharply rapped the attention of the Senators to the final form- 
ulary of a few benedictory remarks of courtesy and compliment, and the 
proclamation that "the closing hour of the forty ninth Congress having arri- 
ved, the Senate stands adjourned without day." 

Simultaneously expired the official tenure of twenty-three Senators, and sim- 
ultaneouely began the first calendar day of the Fiftieth Congress. The cre- 
dentials of twenty-three Senators-elect, who will carry on the continuity of 
Senatorial succession, bring again before the Senate, John Sherman, of Ohio, 
George F. Edmunds, of Vermont, Joseph R. Hawley, of Connecticut, Eugene 
Hale, of Maine, Arthur P. Gorman, of Maryland, Nelson W. Aldrich, of 
Rhode Island, Philetus Sawyer, of Wisconsin, George Gray, of Delaware, 
and Janr es Z. George, of Mississippi, who with a fresh patent of authority 
from their States will continue in the enjoyment of their Senatorial rank and 
authority for a further term of six years. Fourteen States send new Ambas- 
sadors with credentials to represent them at the seat of Government, in the 
Senate, in place of those who have retired from the distinguished circle of the 
Senators. The investiture of the Senators-elect with the full powers and dig- 
nity of their rank, by the taking of the oath of fealty to the Constitution and 
the laws, when the Senate convenes, will again restore the roll of Senators to 
its full personnel. 

The theory cf the ambassadorial relation of the Senators, representing the 
politico-seignorial jurisdictions of the States, as constituent parts of the Fed- 
eral Union, was recognized in the use of terms by the acting President of 
the Senate upon the appearance cf the Senators at the opening of the first Con- 
gress, and before the installation of the first Vice-President. The acting Pres- 
ident of the Senate said the "credentials of the members present will be read 
and filed." The same form is still in vogue. The credentials are signed by 
the Governor, and attested by the Secretary of the State represented. They 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT, II3 

certify tint the person in whose name issued is entitled to credit at the hands 
of the Senate, antl constitute his authority and official power to act in that body 
for his State in its ([uasi-sovereign relation to the National Government, prac- 
tically the same as the letter of commendation or power given by u govern- 
ment to its Ambassador, or Envoy, to give him credit and power to act at a 
foreign court. 

The Senatorial circle in its official ami social relation to affairs at the seat of 
Government will no longer have the presence of Benjamin Harrison, of Indi' 
ana, grandson of the ninth President of the United States ; Cliarlcs H. Van 
Wyck, of Nebraska, the champion of anti monopoly; William J. Sewell, of 
New Jersey, the skillful politician among the Senators of the left; Warner 
Miller, of New York, the leader of the forces which overcame the combina- 
tions of Conkling and Piatt in the Legislature of the Empire State; John I. 
Mitchell, of Pennsylvania, the compromise choice of the men who were con- 
testing with Cameron the selection of a republican successor to the distin- 
guished Democrat, William A. Wallace; William Mahone, of Virginia, a Major 
General of the Confederacy, who wheeled into the Senatorial lineof the Repub- 
licans ; Abrahani P. Williams, ot California, who superseded Mr. Hearst to 
fill out three months of the term of the late Senator Miller ; Omar D. Congar, 
of Michigan, who had preceded his single term Senatorial career with distin- 
gui>hed service in seven Congresses ; S. J. R. McMillan, of Minnesota, re- 
tired after a service of twelve }ears in the ranks of the .Senators; Samuel B. 
Maxey, of Texas, who broke the Republican succession from the lone star 
State ; Johnson N. Camden, of West Virginia, defeated after a long and des- 
perate struggle to be his own successor ; Washington Curran Whitthorn, of 
Tennessee, conspicuous as a representative in six Congresses before he was 
invested with the Senatorial mantle of II. P2. Jackson, by appointment, and 
who has been returned to the ranks of the Representatives of the Fiftieth 
Congress ; Charles W. Jones, of Florida, whose unrequited affections expend- 
ed in L>etroit cost him the honors which awaited him at Tallehassee, and 
James Graham Fair, of \he Bonanza regency of Nevada, who was more inter- 
ested in the fluctuations of mining slocks than the dull monotony of legislation. 
In the brief space of a single session, few persons in the history of the Sen- 
ate have taken so prominent a place in the official and social life of a Senator 
as Person C. Cheney, of New Hampshire. He began the active affairs of 
life as a youth in important industrial enterprises, rising to the position of 
jiresident of a number of extensive financial and industrial corporations and 
in the midst of his great business responsibilities, performed the duties of an 
honored and useful citizen as legislator, soldier, mayor, and governor. 

Mrs. Cheney, a tail, queenly, and agreeable lady, made her first ajipear- 
8 



114 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

ance in society, in Washington, as the wife of a Senator in the season of 
1886-7. It, however, was not her first season, having passed several winters 
at the capital superintending the education of her accomplished daughter, Ag- 
nes, who will soon make her formal entrance into society. Mrs. Cheney was 
Miss Sarah W. While, of Lowell. Her father, a Lowell manufacturer, was 
the first person to employ power in the making of card clothing. When she 
became Mrs. Cheney, in 1S50, she was Mrs. Keith, a widow, residing in Illi- 
nois. During the war she came to Washington and nursed her husbind, then 
an officer in the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment, through a protracted 
and almost fatal illness, and from which he only recovered through the care 
of his devoted wife. 

Among the retiring ladies who were prominently known in the social life 
of the Senatorial circle were the members of the family of Senator Warner 
Miller, of New York. Mrs. Miller was Caroline Churchill, of Gloverville. 
She was assisted in her social duties by her sister, Miss Cora Churchill, one 
of the group of beautiful unmarried ladies for whom Mrs. Cleveland had a great 
fondness. Mrs. Miller belongs to the celebrated family of Randolph Church- 
ill, England's young and aggressive statesman. The original stock divided 
in this country, one branch settling in Virginia, and the other in New Eng- 
land. She is descended from the latter branch. During her residence at the 
seat of Government, Mrs. Miller surrounded herself with young ladies cele- 
brated for their rare beauty and social accomplishments. The ladies of the 
Churchill family were great belles of the Mohawk valley, and the types which 
Mrs. Miller and her sister had among their guests, added to the fame of the 
women of that charming section of inland New York. 

Mrs. Harrison v as Caroline Scott, a daughter of John W. Scott, D. D , 
a Presbyterian clergyman, professor of a female seminary at Oxford, Ohio, 
and of a Washington county, Pennsylvania, family. She is a lady ot fine 
gifts, and admired for her social qualities. Her daughter, Miss INIamie Har- 
rison, is Mrs. McKee, of Indianapolis, Ind , wife of a merchant. Her son, 
Russell B. Harrison, whose wife is a daughter of Ex- United States Senator 
Saunders, of Nebraska, is in business at Helena. Montana. 

The wife of the junior Senator from California, Mr. Williams, was Miss 
Bethania Dunbar, of Fairfield, Maine, daughter of one of the enterprising 
lumber men of that State of vast forests, intellectual women, and distinguished 
men. She was a favorite in society during her three months residence at 
Washington as a member of the Senatorial circle. 

Mrs Van Wyck was Kate Broadhead, daughter of Colonel John H. Broad- 
head, farmer and merchant, of Pike county, Pennsylvania, and descendant of 
the colonial and revolutionary family of Broadhead. 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND EI.ECT. II5 

Mrs. Mitchell was Alice Archer, daughter of II. S. Archer, of Wellsboro^ 
of the (.lislinguished colonial and revolutionary Maryland family of that name, 
and one of the pioneers in Northern Pennsylvania. Miss Clara Mitchell, an 
attractive young lady under twenty, the child of a former wife, appeared with 
her father in society in Washington, and received a great deal of attention. 
Mrs. Mitchell is a woman of domestic inclinations. The Senator has two 
sor s, one of whom has resided in Dakota, and the other remains in Washing- 
ton. Senator Mitchell's maternal great grand-mother was Anna Allen, a rel- 
ative of Ethan Allen "the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" hero 
of Ticonderoga. 

Mrs. Whitthorn was Jane Campbell, a distant relative of President Polk. 
Her father was Colonel Robert Campbell, one of the Tennessee pioneers 
from North Cirolina Miss Lillie, a daughter of the ex-Senator is Mrs. 
Charles P. Cecil, wife of a large stock farmer near Danville, Kentucky. An- 
other daughter, Ella, is Mrs. Alexander Harvey, of Baltimore. Miss Mary 
W'hitthorn in society assists her mother in her social duties. 

Mrs. Mahone was Otelia Butler, of Smithfield, Isle of Wight county, Vir- 
ginia, daughter of Robert Butler, former State Treasurer of Virginia. Her 
daughter Otelia Butler Mahone, one of the debutants of the season, is very 
pretty and attractive. Both Mrs. Mahone and her daughter were among the 
most popular ladies in Washington social life. 

Mrs. Conger was .Stella Humphreys, daughter of Judge Humphreys, of 
Ohio. Miss Florence Conger, daughter of the ex-Senator by a former wife, 
who was Miss Barker, of Mansfield, was well known in society. 

Mrs. Sewell, a lady of fine social traits remained at her home at Camden, 
in New Jersey, caring for her domestic surroundings there. 

In the list of Senators elect are two gentlemen who are known to Washing- 
ton society as former memliers of tlie Senatorial circle. The first is W illiam 
Morris Stewart, who was one of tiie two Senators to represent Nevada in the 
Senate upon the admission of that State into the Union in 1863, and who served 
until 1875. Mrs. Stewart is a daughter of ex-Governor Henry S. Foote, of 
Mississippi. The elegant mansion occupied by the Chinese Legation was 
built by the Senator, and was the first of the fine residences erectedin the fash- 
ionable "West End" of Washington twelve years ago. Mrs. Stewart and 
her daughter, whose debut was one of the most brilliant social events of that 
(lay at the capital, were leaders of society. 

.\lgcrnon .S. Paddock, of Nebraska, the other former Senator, figured promi- 
nently in the .Senatorial circle from 1875 to '81, when he was succeeded by 
Charles S. Van Wyck. He in turn now displaces Mr. Van Wyck. 

Da\id Turpie, who will succeed Senator Harrison, is fifty-nine years of age. 



Il6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Upon the expulsion of Jesse D. Bright, of Indiana, from the Senate of the 
United States, in 1863, the Legislature chose Mr. Turpie to fill the unexpired 
term of aljout fifty days. He is a man of undoubted ability, a good lawyer, 
and speaker. 

Matthew Stanley Quay, Senator-elect from Pennsylvania, is a man of mid- 
dle age, has had a long and successful career as politician, 'tate ofticial, and 
legislator. He was reared among the trusted lieutenants of the elder Came- 
ron, and is one of the most skillful masters of the art of politics in public life. 
Mrs. Quay, who was Miss Barkley, of one of the early families of the Beaver 
Valley, Pa., is a lady of culture and social traits. She will take a prominent 
place among the popular ladies of the Senatorial circle. Miss Mame Quay, 
the Senator-elect's eldest daughter will make her debut in Washington, and 
will be one of the belles of the season. 

Francis B. Stockbridge has had much experience in Michigan politics and 
legislation. He is about sixty years of age, a man of large wealth, and has 
an interesting family to preside over the social affairs of his household. He 
declined the mission to the Hague, tendered by President Grant fifteen years 
ago, on account of the ill health of Mrs. Stockbridge. 

Frank Hiscock, of New York, whose election was the outgrowth of the 
Miller-Morton deadlock, in the New York Legislature, is well known as one 
of the conspicuous figures of the Republican side of the House of Represent- 
atives for five Congresses, and had been elected the sixth time when chosen 
to the Senate. Mrs. Hiscock, who was Cornelia King, is a daughter of Al- 
bert King, a prominent merchant of Tully, New York. She has always held 
a prominent place in social life £.t Washington, as much for her loveliness of 
manner, as for her loveliness of person. 

Ex-Governor W. Bate, Senator elect from Tennessee, a gentleman of 
ability and experience in State affairs, in his wife and daughter will be able to 
make the social side of his Senatorial career peculiarly attractive. Mrs. Bate, 
who is not much given to society, still takes pride in her social duties for the 
sake of her husband. Her daughter Susan, who has just finished her educa- 
tion, and will make her debut next season, is a fine conversationalist, an ex- 
cellent pianist, and performs well on the guitar and banjo, which she prefers 
as an accompaniament to her voice. 

Cushman K. Davis, of Saint Paul, not only one of the most expert politi- 
cians in Minnesota, but a close student and a pungent orator, will figure 
prominently not only in the Senate on account of his own abilities, but in the 
social world for the beauty, grace and tact of his wife. She is one of the 
most attractive women in the northwest, brilliant in conversation and in music, 
a dashing equestrienne, and fearless at the reins. She was the leader of the 



THE SENATORS RETIRED AND ELECT. II7 

best society at Minnesota's capital, both in private life and when her husband 
occupied the Executive chair of the State. 

Rufus Blodget came to New Jersey from New Hampshire, and in fifteen 
years not only had control of the party machinery, but carried off the Sena- 
torship with the most experienced leaders of the Democratic regency against 
him. The Senator is less than fifty-five, and has the instincts of a statesman. 
Mrs. Blodget is a lady of fine social accomplishments, and will be a desirable 
acquisition to the circle of Senatorial ladies. 

After a protracted and hopeless struggle among the recognized candidates, 
Samuel Pasco, a native of England, forty-eight years of age, secured the Sen- 
atorship to succeed the erratic Jones, of Florida. He went to P'lorida to teach 
school. lie studied law, married, and settled there. He has always been 
active in Democratic politics, is a man of positive ability, handsome, of agree- 
able manners, and popular with the young Democracy. 

Charles J. Faulkner who severed the Gordian knot of the Senatorial strug- 
gle in West Virginia, is a son of Charles James Faulkner, an anti-bellum 
Representative in Congress, and James Buchanan's Minister to France. He 
is forty seven years of age, and a gentleman of ability, and universally popular. 

John H. Regan, of Texas, who was Postmaster General in the Cabinet of 
Jefferson Davis, having been elected to the last seven Congresses consecu- 
tively, is well known in the affairs of the House of Representatives. He is a 
man of ability and amiability. Mrs. Regan and daughter are hospitable in 
their home circle, but have never had a fondness for an aggressive part in 
social affairs. 

George Hearst, of California, one of the wealthiest men in the Senate, will 
add, through the ladies of his family, a large amount of gayety to the fashion- 
able life of the capital. Mrs. Hearst is fond of society, and with a lavish hand 
contributed to the entertainments of the season. The Senator having filled 
the interim, by appointment, in the Senate of the United States, from the 
death ofSenator Miller, to the election of Mr. Williams by the Legislature of 
California, and his own election by the succeeding Legislature for the full 
term of six years, to 1893, gave him practically, a place in the Senatorial 
circle. Mrs. Hearst's Drawing Rooms have been exceptionally attractive. 

John Warwick Daniel, of Virginia, who succeeds William Mahone, is a 
legal authority of repute, and a finished orator. He possesses much of the 
courtliness of the old time Virginian. He made a good record in the Forty- 
ninth Congress. He belongs to the debt-paying Democracy of the Old Do- 
minion. 



H8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

The Chief Justice of the United States and Justices. 

The third co-ordinate branch of the oovernment — the place of 
the chief justice— his title — the justices — their rank — the high 
social place of the court -ircle— its members open the cere- 
monial and social season at the capital — chief justice and MRS. 
WAITE — THE justices AND THE LADIES OF THEIR FAMILIES — ADHERENCE 
TO OLD FORMS. 

(r\R HE Supreme Court of the United States represents the third coordinate 
ii| branch of the National government. It had its origin m the third article 
^jj[. of the Constitution, its organization sprang from statutory enactments of 
the First and succeeding Congresses, and its ceremonial and social preroga- 
tives, usages and relations are sequential of its high jurisdiction, as expounder 
of the Constitution, laws and treaties, and adjudicator of causes between States, 
domestic or foreign, or citizens or subjects of the same. The Supreme tribu- 
nal eml)races the Chief Justice of the United States and Associate Justices 
at the seat of government, and the remamder of its personnel and powers are 
distributed throughout the States among Judges of Districts and Judges of 
Circuit Courts, besides Judges of Territorial Courts, and the Supreme Court 
of the District of Columbia. 

The personnel of the Court is the only branch of the public service holding 
office by a life tenure. It is therefore, officially and socially, within its own 
sphere and in the exercise of its functions, wholly independent of the executive 
or legislative departments of the government. Its superannuated members 
are the beneficiaiies of the first law placed on the statute books of the United 
States in 1869, creating a civil pension list, its retiring members receiving 
$10,000 a year for life. 

In the distribution of the functions of the Constitution, it is declared that 
the judicial power of the United States "shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain 
and establish." The Supreme Court is, therefore, one of the three constitu- 
tional bodies of the government. Its first officer is specially designated as 
" The Chief Justice," who is required to preside when the President is tried 
by impeachment. 

This provision of the sipreme law establishes the constitutional precedence 
of the Chief Justice and the Senators. The Senators, under oath, constitute the 
tribunal for the impeachment of the President. They are the High Court of 
Impeachment, and by constitutional requirement the Chief Justice must pre- 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. I 19 

side. As the spirit of all jurisprudence in tlie United States requires that every 
[lerson siiall he tried by his peers, the Senators acting as judges and jury jire- 
sided over by the Chief Justice in the performance of the high duties devolving 
upon them in the premises are the constitutional peers of the President. 

In the cumulative functions of the Chief Justice and Senators as the arrange- 
ment of their powers proceed in constitutional definement, there can be no ap- 
propriate and rational assignment of their places in the scale of constitutional 
and social importance other than the order assigned them as the President, 
the Vice-President, or President /rio tern., in the event of a vacancy, the Chief 
Justice and the Senators. 

The titles of the members of the Court were determined at its earliest meet- 
ings, in the same spirit that the first Congress disposed of the question of the 
title of the President of the United States. The Chief Justice is the Consti- 
tutional title of the presiding officer of the Court, and Associate Justices is 
the statutory title of the other members of- the one Sujireme Court." There 
has been some controversy as to whether the title should be " Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of the United States ' or "Chief Justice of the United 
States." Among the early Chief Justices both these forms were in vogue. 
His commission, however, designates him by the former title. The Constitution 
designates him simply as the "Chief Justice." Chief Justice Chase insisted 
upon the second form. During the trial of President Andrew Johnson, under 
articles of impeachment, Chief Justice Chase insisted in the deliberations, upon 
the title " Chief Justice of the United States." The act of 1869, through his 
instrumentality, recognized that title by providing that the Supreme Court 
should consist of " One Chief Justice of the United States and eight Associates, 
&;c." That by analogy would be his Constitutional title as the head of the 
third coordinate branch of the government, whatever might be his title as the 
Chief of the one Supreme Constitutional tril)unal. 

The practice since the beginning has been to address the memliers of the 
Court as " Mr. Chief Justice," " Mr. Justice, ' or the same with the surname 
added. The same form would be proper for the superscription of an unofii 
cial letter. Official or ceremonial communications should be addressed by the 
title sim]>ly, or the name without complimentary title, followed by the official 
title. The same foe the Justices of the Court. 

There has been much controversy as to the order of precedence between a 
Senator and a Justice. The latter have always claimed priority of rank, and 
as a rule Senators have accorded that precedence doubtless more as a matter 
of ofiicial or sccial interest than of propriety or sequence of authority and pow 
ers under the Constitution. There can be no doubt as to the precedence of a 
Justice, though statutory as to title, over a member of the Cabinet, as the Con- 



I20 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

stitution provides that there shall be " One Supreme Court," but it does not 
provide that there shall be any Cabinet. It does provide that there shall be 
a Senate, and the Senators try the President as his peers, presided over by 
the "Chief Justice," not of the Supreme Court, but infereutially of the Uni- 
ted States, and in which the Justices take no part whatever. Even the Chief 
Justice holds office upon the advice and consent of the Senators, and might, on 
the theory of sequence of ceremonial value or importance, under the Constitu- 
tion, hold a subordinate place but for his Constitutional duties over the Sena- 
tors when sitting as a High Court of Impeachment of the President of the 
United States. The Justices do not enjoy the benefits of this Constitutional 
discrimination, and hold their office as much l)y virtue of the advice and con- 
sent of the Senators as by appointment of the President. 

It is asserted in support of the claim for precedence over the Senators, that 
the Justices of the Supreme Court have the Constitutional power to nullify 
their acts, and that it is the only tribunal in the world which has that supreme 
power. That is replied to affirmatively as to legislation, but does not apply di- 
rectly to the Senators, but to the President of the United States, whose ap- 
proval alone consummates the act of legislation. If the fact of nullification of 
an act of Congress approved by the President, which alone makes it possible 
to come under the interpreting power of the Supreme Court, gave precedence, 
then the Chief and Justices of the third coordinate branch might claim prece- 
dence of tlie executive power. The Senators' simple participation in legislation 
IS not their sole relation to the members of the Court, as they can nullify the ap- 
pointing power of the President, which invests them as individuals with supreme 
Judicial powers of Justice. The claims of precedence apply to the Represent- 
atives as their powers are solely legislative, but in the economy of things 
not to the Senators. The Senate, like the Supreme Court, is also a continu- 
ous body. 

The Supreme Court circle, being composed ot scholarly men and relieved 
by the life tenure of their office from the necessity of seeking continued prefer- 
ment through studious regard for political influences, represents the highest 
standard of the social scale at the seat of government. Its social surround- 
ings are defined. Its range of social recognition is confined to the higher 
spheres of official life, and distinguished personages by selection in fashiona- 
ble circles. It excludes much that is admissible at the levees of the President, 
and is not thronged with the social multitude which hover about Congress. 

The assembling of the Supreme Court on the second Monday in October is 
always the occasion of the beginning of the ceremonial courtesies, which are 
annually exchanged between the coordinate powers of the government. In 
conformity with uniform custom since the first meeting of the Court on the 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. I2l 

Statutory day of assembling the Chief Justice and Jus ices, in their robes of 
office, take their seats ujion the Supreme bench and begin their session. After 
preliminary directions as to the commencement of business, the court adjourns. 
Having laid aside their robes, the Court in a body, attended by its own officers 
and accompanied by the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, proceed 
to the Executive Mansion, and, being formally announced, are received by the 
President in the audience parlor. The Chief Justice congratulates the Presi- 
dent upon his appearance and good health. After the Justices in turn present 
their compliments, the Court retires. It is then custom to leave a card at the 
residence of the \'ice-President, that high functionary being ex-officio chief 
officer of the upper body of Congress, the second coordinate branch of the 
government. In case of a vacancy in that ofi'ice, the President pro tempore of 
the Senate would be entitled to similar mark of consideration, but the Court 
docs not concede this ceremonial obligation. The Piesident never returning 
a call in form, except that of a sovereign, ruler of a country or member of a 
royal family visiting Washington, does not return the call of the Court. Dur- 
ing the season, however, it is customary for him to give a state dinner in its 
honor. The Vice-President, if in the city, or within a reasonable time after 
his return, leaves a card at the residence of the Chief Justice. 

This introductory ceremonial occasion is followed by calls of etiquette among 
the members of the court and their ladies in society, the Justices first calling 
upon the Chief Justice, and then junior upon senior Justices, return calls being 
made in the same order of precedence. The ladies of the court are at home 
on Mondays during the season, at which time persons in social relations with 
the court circle, or others in polite society, may call, the dress on these occasions 
being street costume. These Mondays at iiome give rise to a general move- 
ment in social circles, followed by a round of courtesies in advance of the rush 
of gayety in fashionable life, which comes later during the Congressional and 
administration seasons. 

The code of etiquette of the Supreme Court circle was founded in the early 
social practices of the old school of manners established by the first President 
and his wife, and incorporated into the social regime of the Court by its first 
Chief Justice. The preeminent public services of John Jay, and the high so- 
cial inheritance and accomplishments of his wife, Sarah Livingston, a daughter 
of William Livingston, of the <listinguished Ccjlonial family of that name, wliom 
he married in 1774, gave the first official and social environments of the judi- 
cial circle a degree of dignity and prominence which has been maintained l)y 
the succeeding eminent jurists who have worn the ermine of the Chief Justice. 

Chief Justice Morrison Remick Waite, a native of Lyme, Conn., born in 
1816, IS the son of a Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of liis birth. As an 



122 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

attorney in Ohio, he rose to sufficient prominence to l)e entrusted with the 
post of counsel in the Alabama arbitration at Geneva, and after the withdrawal 
of Ex-Attorney Generals George H. Williams and Caleb Gushing, followed 
in the line of succession as seventh Chief Justice. At the time of his appoint- 
ment he was presiding over the Sta'e Constitutional Convention of Ohio. 
Chief Justice Waite, though having passed the usual allottment of three score 
and ten years, is hale and vigorous in mind and body. He is short and stout 
in stiture and quick of gait. His estimable wife, a matronly lady, presides 
over the household affairs of the Chief Justice with a dig.^ity rounded with an 
affal)ility which has won all hearts in the sphere of her social duties. In her 
exalted station, Mrs. Waite is assisted by her daughter Nannie, a fully ma- 
tured woman, of slender form, sharp eye, bright inte lect quic'c wit, a heart full 
of sympithy for the poor, and a hand never withheld from enterprises to 
alleviate the sufferings of the distressed. 

Samuel F. Miller of Pennsylvania German stock, an old-time Kentucky Abo- 
litionist, a friend of Clay, and since 1850 a citizen of Iowa, present i a short and 
somewhat corpulent figure. He was born the same year as the Chief Justice. 
Mrs. Miller, a matronly lady, bearing a feminine resemblance to her husband, 
is held in high esteem among the ladies of the Court circle as the authority on 
the social etiquette which attaches to their position in fashionable life. The 
Justice being the senior member of the Court, in this respect even out-dating 
the Chief Justice, is recognized as the patriarch of the body, and Mrs. Mil- 
ler is the acknowledged referee and umpire on all social questions. 

Stephen J. Field, a native of Haddam, Conn., but one of the "Forty- 
niners," of California, is one of the celebrated Field brothers, sons of a "Nut- 
meg" preacher. He is seventy years old, and has a limp in his gait which 
might be a relic of the old days of placer jurisprudence, ^^rs. Field, who 
is clo^ing up a half century of life, is a fine, large, handsome woman, with 
well-preserved traces of rare womanly beauty in her prime The residence of 
the Justice is embraced within the southern portion of the walls which once con- 
stituted the temporary capitol occupied by Congress when the capitol itself, in 
1814, was destroyed by the British invaders, and notorious in the war of the 
rebellion as the " Old Capitol Prison,'" where recalcitrant pohtical offenders 
were incarcerated, pending the recovery of their better senses. Here the 
Justice and his queenly wife hold superb social entertainments. The elegance 
of these gatherings has given Mrs. Field the title of " Hostess of the Court '• 

Justice Joseph F, Bradley, born in New York, in 1813, settled in Newark, 
N. J., as a lawyer in 1839. He is the smallest in stature, and oldest in years, 
among the members of the court. After the resignation of Judge Grier, and 
sudden death of the War Secretary, Edwin M. Stanton, who had been nomi- 



THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JUSTICES. I 23 

nated, President Grant filled the two vacancies by the nomination of William 
Strong, of Pennsylvania, now a retired Justice, to that circuit, and Judge 
Bradley, of New Jersey, for the Fifth circuit, end^racing the Gulf States. 
The retirement of Judge Strong placed the latter in his proper gecjgraphical 
position. Justice Bradley, held the casting vote on the electoral tribunal, which 
seated Rutherford B. Hayes, as President of the United States. Mrs. Brad- 
ley, who is of small figure, is the youngest daughter of Chief Justice Horn- 
blower, of New Jersey. She is of pleasant but retiring manner. Miss Brad- 
ley, who is in her twenties, is a petite brunette, little given to the frivolities of 
society, and takes much interest in works of charity. A son of Justice Brad- 
ley married Senator J. D. Cameron's eldest daughter. 

Justice and Mrs. Harlan are fine specimens of the sons and daughters of 
the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky. The Justice carries an attitude of six 
feet two inches, with a robust frame and a face ruddy with health. Mrs. Har- 
lan bears a symmetrical feminine relation to his fine physique, and is of stately 
presence. 

Justice Wood, whose death in May, 1S87, made a vacancy in the Court cir- 
cle, was a soldier in the Ohio volunteers and rose to a general during the re- 
bellion. He settled in the South after the war, and was appointed United 
States Circuit Judge, from which he was raised to the Supreme Bench by Presi- 
dent Grant. Mrs. Wood and her daughter — the latter in her erly twenties — 
were interesting members of the Court circle. 

Stanley Matthews was born in Cincinnati in 1824. After graduation, taught 
school m Kentucky, settled in Cincinnati as a lawyer, was an editor in 1848, 
again a lawyer in 1 850, and served in the war of the Rebellion as lieutenant 
colonel in Rosecran's regiment, in which President Hayes began his military 
career as major. He succeeded John Sherman in the Senate in 1877, when 
that gentleman entered President Hayes' Cabinet, and was later elevated to 
the Supreme Bench. The first Mrs. Matthews, who was aunt of Editor W'at- 
ter^on, of the Louisville Courter-Journal, died in 1884. After remaining a 
widower for nearly two years. Justice Matthews married the widow of Judge 
Theaker, at one time Commissioner of Patents. After spending tlie honey- 
moon in Europe, the distinguished couple returned, and Mrs. Matthews ap- 
peared in the social circle of the Court during the season as a bride. The Jus- 
tice's daughter Jeannie, a young lady of little over twenty, is one of the pets 
ol society. 

During the season Justice and Mrs. Matthews had a family reunion, which 
included the three Misses Mattiiews, Mortimer Matthews and his family; Paul 
Matthews; Mrs J. T. Webb, a sister (jf Justice Matthews, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Henrv Watterson. 



124 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Justice Horace Gray, of Massachusetts, former Chief Justice of his Slate, is 
the bachelor of the Court, born in 1S28. After the highest education in the 
law, and distinguished practice, he became the partner of E. R. Hoar, later 
Attorney General of the United States. He was State Reporter, Judge of the 
two Courts, and Chief Justice of Massachusetts. He is the largest member 
of the Court, measuring six feet four irches in height. His grandfather, 
William Gray, of Salem, entered the army of the Revolution, after the fights at 
Lexington and Bunker Hill, as a drummer boy. Some one, after referring to 
his part in the great struggle, slightingly remarked, "Billy Gray was nothing 
but a drummer." "True," said he, "but did I not drum well. It aroused 
a nation into life." This youthful patriot afterwards became largely engaged 
in the India trade. His youngest son, Horace, a manufacturer of Boston, was 
the father of the Justice. 

Justice and Mrs. Blatchford, of New York, are the humorous members of 
the Court circle. Their conversational accomplishments are the life of the 
sometimes austere social gatherings of the Court families. They have no 
daughters to take part in their charming social entertainments, but the Jus- 
tice and Mrs. Blatchford are always the best posted on all that is going. 

Justice William Strong, the only living retired member of the Court, parti- 
cipates in all the ceremonials and social entertainments of his former juducial 
brothers. He is a native of Connecticut, born in 1808, settled in Reading, Pa., 
in 1832, and was a Representative in Congress. He became Associate Justice 
in 1870, having previously filled a place on the bench of the Supreme Court of 
the State of his adoption. Mrs. Strong, who is an invalid, takes little part in 
society, but two daughters adorn their beautiful Washington residence. 

The traditions, prerogatives, and practices of the Supreme Court, handed 
down in sort of apostolic succession since the days of the founders of the gov- 
ernment, are rigorously adhered to, and upheld. The robes of ofhce, still 
worn, at first faced with scarlet, after the borrowed robe of Chancellor Wool- 
worth, of New York, used by John Jay when he took his seat as the first 
Chief Justice of the United States, were changed to the present all black robes, 
in 1802. The Court Bible, an Oxford edition of 1799, the first used by the 
Court in its sittings in Washington, 1800, and upon which the Chiefs, and all 
the Associates swearing by The Book, have taken the oath of office, is treas- 
ured as a precious relic. Even the furniture of the Court is clung to with af- 
fection and reverence. 



THE SPEAKER. I 25 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Speaker. 

KECOG.NIZED by the constitution— the tenure of his office — THE 
SYMBOL OF HIS AUTHORITY — THE TASCES — THE POWER OF THE SPEAKER - 
HIS PLACE IN THE SCALE OF DIGNITIES — TITLE — CEREMONIAL AND S(JCIA:, 
RELATIONS — JOHN GRIFFIN CARLISLE— MRS. CARLISLE. 



Fin HE jiresiding officer of the lower or popular branch of The Congress of 
gIn the United States is not only one of the Constitutional officers of the 
C^"- government, but holds his place by authority of a mandatory provision 
that "the House of Representatives shall chose their Speaker." The tenure 
of his parliamentary precedence and authority among his equals of the House 
of Representatives begins by his election immediately after the calling of the 
roll of members upon the assembling of that body, and the arinouncement by 
the clerk of the preceding House tliat a quorum of members elect is present, 
and expires with the Constitutional limitation of the same Congress. The 
elevation of a Representative to the chair does not take from him his privi- 
leges as a member on the floor. 

The Speaker, in obedience to the rules of the House, is required to take 
the chair on every legislative day precisely at the hour to which tlie House 
adjourned at the last sitting. He is invested with authority to enforce the 
rules of the House in the routine of business. He has power to command 
order and decorum on the floor and to clear the galleries and lobbies in case 
of unseemly demonstrations. His authority representing the dignity and 
power of the House is symbolized by the Fasces which is ever present when 
that body is in session. Thirteen days after the assembling of the First Con- 
gress, in 1789, in the first rules to govern the parliamentary proceedings of the 
House provisions were made for the adoption of a "symbol of office" for the 
Sergeant-at-Arms to be placed upon the clerk's table during the sittings, and 
to be borne by that officer when in the execution of the commands of the 
S|)eaker representing the authority of the House. The symbol adopted was 
the '^iivaz.w fasces, but instead of an ax lied with a bundle of rods the mace or 
insignia of authority adopted for the House of Representatives of the United 
Stales ojnsislcd of a silver ttrrestrial globe surmounted by a silver eagle with 
outstretched wings and supported upon a bundle of ebony rods two feet in 
length, held together by silver ligatures. It was the office of the Roman Lie- 
tors, who bore the fasces as the ensign of authority, to proceed in advance 
of the magistrates to clear the way and cause due respect to be paid them. 
The Americanyi/jffj, just before the meeting of the House, is borne into the 



126 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Hall of Ihe House by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and, upon the House being called 
to order by the Speaker, is plnced upon a marble pedestal at the seat of the 
Sergeant-atArms at the right of the Speaker's chair. Upon occasions of up- 
roarious or undecorous demonstrations on the floor, in the frenzy ot debate or 
partisan feeling, which have occured, the Speaker, with his gavel, being pow- 
erless to compel obedience, at his command the Sergeant-at-Arms, bearing 
ihe/lisces, moves along the aisles among the Representatives. Disobedience 
to this summons of the whole authority and dignity of tiie House would be 
followed by summary expulsion. 

The Speaker signs all official documents or enactments of the House. He 
has supreme and sole authority to name the personnel of all the standing 
committees. In the body over which he presides he has greater latitude of 
parliamentary power than is enjoyed by the Vice-President or President 
/»■{? te7)i. over the Senate. 

The place of the Speaker in the scale of official and social dignities was de- 
termined by the first Congresses in the arrangement of the relations of the 
two Houses, whether in the exercise of their parliamentary autonomy sepa- 
rately or jointly. It has been the practice from the beginning for enrolled 
bills previous to being sent to the President, to be signed first by the Speaker 
of the House of Representative, and then by the President of the Senate. 
This order is in keeping with the theory of the sovereignty of the people, and 
the Constitutional arrangement in the matters of legislation solely, but gives 
the Speaker no ceremonial precedence as shown in the same co- organic par- 
liamentary rules of the Senate and House of Representatives, recognized by 
nearly a century of usage. These rules prescribe that when the Senate and 
House of Representatives make a joint address to the President of the United 
States it shall be presented in the "Audience Chamber," by the President of 
the Senate. 

Another parliamentary recognition of the precedence of the presiding officer 
of the Senate, and which adds the Senators as taking precedence of both 
the Speaker and Representatives, is the rule of 1 794, that when the two Houses 
assemble in the Hall of the House of Representatives to count the electoral 
vote for President and Vice-President of the United States, the President of 
the Senate shall be the presiding officer. In addition to this the same rules 
S]5ecifically designate the order of precedence by declaring that "at such joint 
meeting of the two Houses seats shall be provided as follows : The President 
of the Senate shall occupy the Speaker's chair, for the Speaker a chair imme- 
diately upon his left, for the Senators, in the body of the hall upon the right 
of the presiding officer, for the Representatives in the body of the Hall not 
occujjied by the Senators." 



THE SPEAKER. I 27 

The pissage of the act of 1886, ves ing the line of Presidential succession 
in the calnnet, repealeil the statutory succession of the Speaker, who then 
stood three degrees removed. lie is, therefore deprived of that contingent 
honor and whatever exceptional prestige that might give the office. 

The title became an issue in the very outset of the government, in April, 1 788, 
on the question as to how the first, official communicati in from the Senate 
should be addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The 
form "Honorable" was proposed. The House, however, insisted upon the 
simple Constitutional title, "The Speaker," which was adopted, and has never 
since been changed. In social intercourse he is properly addressed " Mr. 
Speaker," and in official correspondence "The Speaker." In personal cor- 

repondence it is proper to address him , Speaker of the House of 

Representatives. 

The Speaker, as a matter of ceremonial form and propriety, would be ex- 
pected, at the commencement of each session of Congress, to call in person 
upon the President, and in person or by card upon the- Vice President, or 
President of the Senate /n? tempore, if performing the duties of presiding offi- 
cer of the Senate, and on the Chief Justice of the United Slates. The same 
rule would apply to the ladies of his families. In each case, except the Presi- 
dent, the call would be returned in person or by card. The first call would 
also be due to such Senators and Justices of the Supreme Court of the United 
States with whom he might desire to establish social relations. The Speaker 
receives the first call from Representatives and all others which he returns. 

When the Forty-ninth Congress expired, the parliamentary precedence and 
authority conferred by the majority of the House of Representatives upon 
John Griffin Carlisle, at the beginning of that Congress, terminated by Con- 
stitutional limitation. He was the fourth Representative from Kentucky upon 
whom the Speakership had been conferred. Henry Clay was chosen six times 
between 1811-25; John ^Yhite once, 1841-43; Lynn Boyd twice, 1832-33, 
and 1851-55, and John G. Carlisle twice, 1883-87. He is the thirtieth 
Speaker in the line of succession from 1789. In the list of forty-nine Con- 
gresses which have lived and died since the formation of the Constitution, 
Representatives from Kentucky have occupied the chair of eleven. 

Mr. Carlisle who filled the office of Speaker of the Forty-eighth and Forty- 
ninth Congresses was born, in Kentucky, September 5, 1835. He was named 
after his two grandfathers, John Carlisle, a native of Virginia, and Griffin 
Reynolds, a native of Rhode Island. His father was born in Kentucky, and 
his mother in Rhode Island, but grew up in Kentucky, The Carlisle's, Lo- 
gans, Hardens, and McClurcs were among the early pioneer families of Ken- 
tucky, and were allied more or less closely by marriage. Mary Todd Lincoln, 



128 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

wife of the seventeenth President of the United States, was a cousin of Mr. 
Carlisle. 

The usual ragged experience of the self-made men who have ornamented 
the higher walks of public duty was the lot of Mr. Carlisle. As a boy he 
started out in pursuit of such knowledge as was available m the country 
schools of Kentucky forty years ago. As a youth verging into manhood, he en- 
tered the career of rural pedagogue, and while manipulating the ferule for the 
stimulation of the plodders along the toilsome pathway of learning, availed 
himself of such opportunities for self culture and advancement as came m his 
way, At twenty-three he had reached the degree of attorney, and had settled 
down to the pleading of causes, and formulation of briefs for litigants of Cov- 
ington and the surrounding region. At the same time he began his political 
career in a successful campaign for the State House of Representatives. 

It was while a member of that body that the issue of secession was sprung. 
Not only was he prominent in his opposition to all measures inimical to a 
peaceful and orderly adjustment of sectional or partisan differences, but voted 
against the proposition to call a State Convention to consider the question of 
the secession of the State of Kentucky from the Union, insisting that the 
remedy for grievances was to be found in the Union and not out of it. 

Upon the restoration of the peaceful methods of affairs Mr. Carlisle was 
elected to the Senate, and subsequently to the Lieutenant Governorship of his 
State, covering a period of nire years, and has since been elected to six Con- 
gresses. In 1883 he was raised to the dignity of Speaker of the House of 
Representatives. 

In his entire public career, Mr. Carlisle has exhibited a high order of abiU- 
ties which have brought him to the front in competition with men of promi- 
nence in public affairs. During his service on the floor of the House, he was 
active in its proceedings and debates. He has been the most vigorous and 
influential champion of economic theories based upon the pro British doctrines 
of free trade. He has held the great bulk of his party as a unit on that sub- 
ject, notwithstanding the strength and character of a minority within his own 
party, who have been arrayed in antagonism to such measures. 

One of the most attractive and forcible women in any of the circles of official 
or social life at the capital is Mrs. Carlisle. She was Mary Jane Goods Dn, a 
native of Kentucky, and one of the most popular of the young ladies in the re- 
gion of her girl and maidenhood. Her father. Major John A. Goodson, was a 
native of Georgia. Her mother was born Hester Wasson, a native of Ken- 
tucky. Major Goodson served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 
Senate, and was for several years mayor of the city of Covington, Kentucky. 
She has two sons, William Kinkead Carlisle and Silbon Logan Carlisle, both 



THE REPRESENTATIVES. 129 

graduates ol the Washington and Lee University in Virginia, and both lesid- 
ing and practicing law at Wichita, Kansas, The wife of the elder son was 
Mollie Noonan, one of the most charming young ladies of Covington. 

Mr. Carlii-le is the undisputed leader of the bulk of his party 111 the House 
of Representatives, and Irom the chair he has been able to hold the dissenting 
wing in a negative position on the chief issues — the tariff. He shares in 
the confidence of the President and is not unfrequently called into his private 
counsels. He has been somewhat handicapped in many of his public acts by 
his confidence and devotion to his friends. In his personal life Mr. Carli-le 
is one of the most genial and approachable of men. He is always thoroughly 
posted upon public matters. 

Mrs. Carlisle is in every way fitted for the wife of the presiding officer of 
the popular body of Congress. She has a tall, commanding figure, and a 
queenly grace in her bearing which inspires admiration. She has strength of 
cha'acter which gives confidence. She has ease of manner which attracts 
friends. She has readiness of conversation which creates popularity. She 
has promptness of greeting which relieves a sense of restraint. Her toilettes 
are in taste. She is a leader in the social circle of the capital as her distin 
guished husband is a leader m public afTairs and politics. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
The Rkpresentatives. 

The official and social circle of the popular branch of congress — 
the con' ritutional powers and precedence of its members— the 
new england representatives — their ladies. 



(fjnHK Repr< 

j!| largest ofl 
Vii"- numbers I 



"iepresentatives in The Congress of the United States constitute the 
jfllcially homeogenous class in the social life of the capital. Their 
, embrace tlie deputies of the people (jf three hundred and twenty- 
five Congressional and eight Territcjrial constituences, covering the entire na- 
tional jurisdiction. In the natural order of things, assembled at the capital in 
the exercise of their legislative functions, with the ladies of their families, thiy 
form a conspicuous feature in all official and ceremonial entertainments and in 
a less degree as ])rivale persons participate m general fashionable gayelies. 
With widely differing social conditions and environments at their homes, the 
Representatives display a great diversity of manners, habits, tastes and pro- 
clivities and ideas of social obligations and |)roprieties. Aggregately they 
may be said to exhiliit in a greater degree than any other class in Washington 
9 



130 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the cliaracteristics of national life r.nd the social instincts of the average Ameri- 
can. In their adjustment to the social world of the capital they are as a rule 
influenced by sectional interests and predelic'.ions, and therefore are disposed 
to divide into sets. In their personnel as members of the popular branch of 
the National Legislature they are governed by no order of precedence or rank. 
In the parliamentary working of their body the Stales are enumerated alpha- 
betically and within the States the Representatives themselves are arranged in 
numerical order as to districts. On a call of the roll in the consideration of 
measures of legislation they are taken aggregately as individuals in alphabet! 
cal order. 

In the arrangement of the divisions of the Constitution, and the distribution 
of its functions, the legislative department is given the first place as a funda- 
mantary element in the application of the Republican theory in the granting 
of the powers of government. Within the legislative department the Repre- 
sentatives occupy the fundamentary place as constiiutional members of the 
body exercising the delegated powers of the sovereign people. This prece- 
dence of arrangement and proximity to the source of all authority under the 
Constitution, does not give official or social precedence in the scale of dignities. 
The Constitutional executive power vested in the President is given the first 
place of trust and responsibility, Ijeing required by oath not only to execute 
the office of President, but to " preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution 
of the United States." While the real legislative power of the government is 
vested in the Representatives, they having the sole right to originate revenue 
legislation, that exclusive authority can never be complete without the concur- 
rence of the Senate, and approval of the President. The Representatives are 
the people. The Senators are the States. The President is the Nation. The 
Chief Justice and the Justices are the conservators of the laws. 

The place of the Representatives in the order of official and social prece- 
dence is the same as in the development of the powers of the Constitution, 

In the discussion of the relative places of the Constitutional members of the 
government in the beginning of Washington's administration in arranging the 
place of the Senators, it was claimed that the Representatives would expect 
the same privileges, and would be offended if not granted. It was urged 
upon the attention of the President who was formulating the code to govern 
intercourse, official and social, among the different departments and members 
of the government th it there was reason for the destinction ; that the Senators 
were associated with the President in certain executive functions, which made 
them in a degree his Constitutional counsellors, and gave them a claim to pre 
cedence. 

In his relation to the government, a Representative is one of three hundred 



THE REPRESENTATIVES. IJI 

;.nd twenly-five constituent members of the body of the people and exercises 
in his own official acts the delegated authority to vote on measures within the 
jurisdiction of the body of which he is a member. He represents a constitu- 
ency of about 155.000 in a population of 50,000,000 people. His authority is 
derived from a ciJrtificate of election addressed to the clerk of the House pre- 
ceding tliat for which elected, and liis name is placed upon the roll of members. 

The three hundred and twenty-five Representatives, and eight Delegates 
distributed over the national jurisdiction of 3,600,000 square miles of the 
earth's surface, or a vast region equal to the aggregate area of all the nations 
of Europe, taken by contiguity of States ii geographical groups, would give, 
representatives of the North-eastern, or New England, States tlie first place in 
point of locality in presenting a view of the distinguished gentlemen consiitu- 
ting the personnel of tiic social circle of the Representatives and the ladies of 
ihcT families. 

The twenty-six Representatives of this section in the constituent assembly 
of the people are from six States of the Union, with an area of 67,000 mi.es, 
end 4,000,000 of population. They are generally men of college education 
and professional occupations. They take pride in the events which transpired 
upon their soil during the incipient jjeriods of the revolution, and cherish as a 
noble heritage the glories of Lexington and Bunker Hill They realize in 
tlieir puljlic acts the vigorous convictions of their Puiitan origin In their pri- 
vate lives they are as a rule men of culture and fine social quilities. 

The Maine delegation is exceptionally strong in the House and prominent 
in social life. Thomas B. Reed, of the Portland district, is one of the bright- 
est men in the lower branch of Congress, having had the experience of five 
terms. He is forty-eight years of age, a ready debater, a pungent speaker, 
with an underlying current of humor, which makes him always interesting. 
He has received the complimentary nomination of the Republicans lor 
Sjjeaker. Mrs. Reed, born in New Hampshire, daughter of Rev. S. H. Mer- 
rill, a Congregational minister, is very popular among her circle of friends. 

Nelson Dingley, Jr., represents the Lcwisjtown district. He h is united jour- 
nalism, (being the owner of the Le-iOistcwn Journal,) with politics, for one 
term being the Governor of Maine. He is one of the staunchest champions of 
American shipping. Mrs. Dingley was Miss Salome McKenncy, daughter of 
Henry McKeimy, a jeweler of Auburn, Maine. She is a lady of fine social 
traits. Her daughter, Edith, is still in her teens. Her sons, Henry M. Ding- 
ley, is a manufacturer of Lewistown; Edward N. Dingley is an editor, and 
Arthur H. Dingley an electrician in Boston. Albert G. Dingley, of l.cwis- 
town, is a student. 

Seth L. Millikcn, of Belfast, who represents Mr. Blaine's old district, is a 



132 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

man of fine oratorical powers, and one of the favorite stump speakers of Na- 
tional reputation in the Republican part)'. His mother, a woman retaining 
the traces of great beauty in her younger days, was Miss Peri^euex, a de- 
scendant of the famous counts of Perigeuex who occupied the old ampitheatre 
of Ferigord, about a hundred miles Southwest of Paris, built in the second 
century. Mrs. Milliken was Lizzie Arnold, born in Augusta, but of the Rhode 
Island family of that name, and to which Benedict Arnold belonged. Her 
daughter Maud, who has just passed her teens, is one of the most attractive of 
the young ladies of the New England circle 

Charles A. Boutelle, of Bangor, who is a fine looking man, was in the vol- 
unteer navy and received a commission for gallant services in the engagement 
with the rebel iron clad Albemarle. He commanded one of the steamets in 
Farragut's attack and capture of Mobile. He is owner of the Bangor Whig 
and Coun-ier. Mrs. Boutelle is a woman of agreeable manners, and partici- 
pates in the social gayeties of the capital. 

In the New Hampshire delegation are Martin A. Haynes and Jacob A. 
Gallinger. The former, after serving as a private in the Union forces, having 
been twice wounded, established the Lake Village Times, which is still in his 
hands. He has been succeeded by L. F. McKinney, of Manchester, a 
Democrat. Jacob H. Gallinger, chairman of the Republican committee of his 
State, a physician by profession, is one of tlie active politicians of New Eng- 
land. Mrs. Gallinger and Mrs. Haynes enjoyed the social life of the capital 
duringthe season. 

The representatives of Vermont, John W. Stewart and William W. Grant, 
both Republicans, are among the active men in State and National affairs. 
Miss Stewart was in Washington during the winter. 

The State of Massachusetts is represented in Congress by Robert T. Davis, 
of Fall River, a man of prominence in State politics ; John D. Long, of Iling- 
ham, one of the prominent figures on the Republican side of the House, a 
finished orator, and 1880-82 Governor of his State; Ambrose A. Ranney, of 
Boston, who will be succeeded by Leopold Morse, a former member ; Pat- 
rick A. Collins, of Boston, of Irish birth, and one of the strong men on the 
Democratic side of the House; Edward Daniel Hayden, of Woburn, promi- 
nent in State politics ; Henry B. Lovering, a manufacturer of Lynn, who will 
be succeeded by Henry Cabot Lodge; Eben F. Stone, of Newburyport, who 
gives place to W. Coggswell, of Salem ; Charles H. Allen, of Lowell ; Fred- 
erick David Ely, of Dedham, who will be succeeded by E. Burnett, of South- 
borough ; William W. Rice, of Worcester, who will retire after service in 
five Congresses, and will be succeeded by John E. Russell, of Leicester; 
William Whiting, of Holyoke, and Francis W. Rockwell, of Pittsfield, one of 
the youngest, most active, and able members on the Republican side. 



THK REPRESENTATIVES. I33 

The ladies of the delegation, who were in Washington during the season, 
made a most interesting gathering. Mrs. Long was Agnes Pierce, of 
Attleboro, daughter of a universalist clergymen, an<l herself, at the time of 
her marriage, she being the second wife, teacher in the Hingham High 
School, and a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School. The first Mrs. 
Long was Mary W. Glover, of Hingham. Mrs. Collins was Mary E. Gary, 
daughter of Michael E. Gary, mechanical engineer. Her two daughters, Ag- 
nes and Marie, are young. Mrs. Rockwell was Mary Hilbert Davis, daugh- 
ter of deacon Henry G. Davis, of Pittsfield. She belongs to one of the old 
Puritan fami'ies of the Berkshire Hills. The other ladies present during the 
season, were Mrs. Ranney and her two interesting and queenly daughters, 
Mrs. Stone and her two attractive daughters, Mrs. Ely and daughter, Mrs. 
Hayden, Mrs. Allen, and Mrs Rice. 

The Representatives of Rhode Island, Henry J. Spooner, of Providence, 
and William A. Pirce, of Olncyville, are well known in the l)usiness of the 
House. Mr. Spooner was a brave soldier, distinguishing himself at Antietam. 
The presence of Mrs. Spooner added much to the pleasures of tlie New Eng- 
land circle. Mr. Pirce began life as a mill and farm hand. In 1855 he en- 
tered a political career as State Senator, and since has been prominent in State 
and National politics. 

The State of Gonnecticut contributes four to the memliership of the House. 
John R. Buck, of Hartford, who will be succeeded in the Fiftieth Gongress by 
Robert J. Vance, of New Britain, is a native of Glastonbury, who having per- 
formed distinguished State service, was one of the most active members of the 
Gommittec on Naval Affairs of Gongress. To his exertions was largely due the 
success of the efforts to secure liberal appropriations to rebuild the Navy. 

One of the most interesting members of New England society at the capi- 
tal was Mrs. Buck. She was Mary Keeney, daughter of Timothy Keeney, 
manager of a North Manchester paper manufactoiy. Her daughter, Florence, 
was very popular among the young ladies of tlie families of the New England 
Representatives. As Mrs. Buck's guests during the winter were Miss Mary 
Shipman, daughter of United States Judge Nathaniel Shipman; Miss Mary 
Bulkley, daughter of George B. Bulkley, retired merchant; Miss Bessie Bur- 
nell, daughter of G. J. Burnell, importer, and Miss Mary Brainard, daughter 
of Leverelt Brainerd, publisher, all of Hartford. 

Charles LeMcyne Mitchell, of New Haven, will be succeeded by Carlos 
French, of Seymour. Mrs. Mitchell, a lady under middle age, is one of the 
beautiful women from New England. She was very prominent in social and 
charitable affairs, a great favorite, and entertained elegantly. Many of the 
celebrities in literature, art and music were in the list of her guests. 



134 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

John Turner Waite, of New London, born in i8i i, was one of the oldest men 
of the House, and was also one of the most active, having had the experience 
of five Congresses. He declined a renomination and will be succeeded by 
Charles A. Russell, ot Killingly. He was originally a Democrat, but stepped 
over into the Republican camp on the issues which led to the Rebellion. He 
is descended on his mother's side from two of the original settlers of Norwich, 
Thomas Tracy and William Hyde. On his father's side he is descended from 
the Waite's, of Lyme, the fathers of himself and Chief Justice Waite being 
first cousins. His father was prominent as a Revolutionary officer, and his 
maternal grandfather was Surgeon General of Provincial troops under General 
Amherst in the French and Indian war. Upoji the breaking out of the Revo- 
lution he was Surgeon General of the Eastern Department, and in the war ot 
1812 was physician of the forts in New York harbor. 

Mrs. Waite, deceased, was Miss Rudd, a native of England. Their only 
son, Marvin Waite, fell at the head of his men in one of the desperate assaults 
at Antietam, This brave officer had been on signal duty with General Burn- 
side at Roanoke Inlet, and with General Parke at the bombardment of Fort 
Macon, and was awarded a bittle flag by General Myer for distinguished ser- 
vices. Mr. Waite's daughter, Annie E., is the wife of Col. H. W. R. Hoyt, 
of Greenwich, Speaker of the Assembly of Connecticut. His daughter, Mary 
E., is wife of J. H. Welles, of Norwich, nephew of President Lincoln's Sec- 
retary of the Navy. 

Edward Woodruff Seymour, of Litchfield, a gentleman of distinguislied ap- 
pearance and historic family, will be succeeded by Miles T. Granger, of New 
Canaan. He was one of the working members of the House Mrs. Seymour, 
a lady of very amiable traits, took a great interest in public £nd social affairs, 
and was very much liked. 



THE MlDULt STATES REPKESENTATIVEJ^. 135 



CHAPTER XX. 
The Middle States Representatives. 

New YORK, NEW lEkSEV, PENNSYLVANIA, AND DELAWARE, IN CONGRESS — 
THEIR l.AniES IN THE SOCIAL CIRCLE OF THE PEOPLE'S BRANCH — A 
GROUP OF THE BEAUTY, WIT, AND FASHION OF THE MOST POPULOUS AND 
WEALTHY SECTION OF THE UNION. 



f" 



.E Representatives of the four middle States of New York, New Jersey, 
jx Pennsylvania, and Delaware, of the Federal compact, number seventy, 
(>A or over one fifth of the entire membership of thj constituent National 
Assembly of the people. While the whole area of this group comprises but 
one hundred and ten thousand square miles, it is the most populous section of 
the country, embracing eleven millions of people, or over one fifth of the ag- 
gregate population of the entire thirty-eight States of tlie Union. It is also 
tlie financial, commercial, mercantile, manufacturing, and mining center of the 
Republic. 

The "Empire State," New York, has the largest number of Representa- 
tives in its delegation. They are generally men of professional or mercantile 
pursuits. The suburban metropolis of Brooklyn leads the list in the numeri- 
cal order of districts, with Perry Belmont, a young man of thirty-six, son of 
the founder of an early and powerful financial house, and prominent in parlia- 
mentary circles as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Felix 
Campbell, an iron pipe manufacturer is one of the "bosses " of Kings county, 
with a great deal of political adroitness mingled with native wit. Darwin R. 
James, a prominent merchant, and man of ability, the only Repultlican from 
Brooklyn, will be succeeded by Stephen V. White, of the s:me political faith. 
Mrs. Tames, a lady of varied attractions, spent the season at the capital. Peter 
P. Mahoney, a dry goods merchant, never held a public office until he became 
a Representative. 

Archibald M. Bliss, brought up a merchant, was Republican alderman, mayor 
of Brooklyn, a delegate to the Republican conventions of 1864 and '68, to the 
Liberal Convention in 1872, gravitating into the Democratic National Con- 
ventions of 18S0 and '84. He is one of the most popular men in Congress. 
His maternal grandfather owned a large part of the land now occupied by 
East Brooklyn. His father built wharves and e tablished ferries between 
the two cities. Mrs. Bliss, deceased, was Maria Meserold, of an old Knick- 
erbocker family. Eleanor Bliss, a beautiful daughter, just entcrirg the age of 
ladyhoo.l, passed the winter, her first season, in Washington, with her father. 
Under the tender care of her paternal grandmother she grew from infancy to 



136 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

womanhood. She is a lady of gentle manners, fine education, and a most ac- 
conrplislied musician. 

The great metropolis at the mouth of the Hudson, with more population 
than any one of twenty-two out of the tliirty-eight States of the Union, fur- 
nishes eight Representatives to the parliamentary and social circle of the 
House. Nicliolas Muller, a German American of the Duchy of Luxembourg, 
after spending twenty years in the ticket department of railroad management, 
entered Congress, and will be succeeded by Amos J. Gumming, a journalist 
of repute. John J. Adams, who will be succeeded by Lloyd S. Bryce, and 
Mrs. Adams, entertained pleasantly in the "West End." Timothy Campbell, 
from printer rose to politician, and is one of the popular men of his party. 

Samuel Sullivan Cox, editor, author, legislator, and diplomat, is one of the 
most fascinating men in the social life of the Representatives. After serving 
in four Congresses from Ohio, he removed to New York, and four years after 
began a new lease of public life, the present being his tenth Congress, in 
the new series. He was Speaker pro tern. Socially Representative and Mrs. 
Cox have always been prominent. Mrs. Cox was Julia Buckingham, of 
Zanesville, Ohio, Mr. Cox's native city, daughter of the builder oT the first 
elevator at Chicago. He was a man of means and influence. Mr. Cox's 
grandfather, Gen. James Cox, one of the pioneers of Ohio, was in Congress. 

In the retirement of Abram Stevens Hewitt, to accept the Mayorality of 
New York, the society of the Representatives lost one of its notable lights. 
He was a man of large wealth, information, and political importance. His 
abilities were also marked, he being conspicuous on financial and tariff ques- 
tions. His successor is Francis B, Spinola. Truman Adams Merriman, a 
journalist, is one of the active men in Democratic politics. William Bourke 
Cockran, will represent the East River district. Egl^ert L. Viele, who will 
have a Republican successor in Ashbel P. Fitch, was popular in society. He 
was a distinguished soldier in the Mexican and Indian wars and the Rebel- 
lion, risi g to Brigadier General. He designed Central Park, of New York, 
and Prospect Park, Brooklyn. He is author of standard works on geogra- 
phy, sanitation, and engineering.' Mrs. Yiele, a lady of fine social accom- 
plishments, was one of the bright stars of fashionable life during lier resi- 
dence at the capital. 

William G. Stahlnecker, former mayor of Yonkers, a politician of note, 
who represents the annex district of New York, is one of the handsomest and 
most popular men in the social life of the Representatives' circle. In his 
constituency reside the most opulent and poverty-stricken of New York's 
po]»ulation. Among the former was Samuel J. Tilden, and is Jay Gould. 
Mrs. Stahlnecker, formerly Miss Elizabeth Fairchild, is a lady of great 
beauty, and one of the favorite married ladies in so:ial life. 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVKS. 1 37 

Among other New York members of the Congressional circle from the inland 
districts, are Henry Bacon, of Goshen, entering his second term; John H. 
Kclchum, of Dover Plains, who resigned as a Brigadier General in the Re- 
bellion to enter Congress, and has served almost continuously since; James 
Girard Lindsley, of Koudout, six years mayor of Kingston, who will be fol- 
lowed by Stephen T. Hopkins ; Henry G. Burleigh, of White Hall, of the 
historic and picturesijue Lake Champlain district, whose successor will be 
Edward W. Greenman, of Troy; John Swinburn, formerly mayor of Albany, 
a jihysician of distinction in the medical service during the rebellion, and in 
charge of the American Ambulance Corps, during tlie seige of Paris, by the 
Prussians, who drops out of Congress, Nicholas T. Kane, of West Troy, be- 
ing his successor; George West, of Balston Spa, a leading Republican politi- 
cian ; Frederick A. Johnson, of Glen Falls, who will be succeeded by John 
H. Mofiilt, of Chateaugay Lake; Abraham P. Parker, of Pottsdam, a legislator 
and politician ; John Thomas Spriggs, ex-mayor of Utica, whose successor is 
James R. Sherman, a Republican ; John S Pendar, President of the village 
of Cobleskill, 1882-4, who ^'^ be succeeded by David Wilber, of Milford ; 
Stephen C. Millard, of Binghamton, whose successor is Milton Delano, of 
Conastota; Sereno K. Payne, of Auburn, who will be succeeded by Newton 
W Nutting, of Oswego; Thomas S. Flood, of Elmira, wlio will fill that va- 
car.t thstrict. La Davenport, one of the most brilliant Republican leaders of 
New York, and candidate for Governor , Charles Simeon Baker, of Roches- 
ter ; John Gilbert Sawyer, of Albion; John M. Farquhar, of Buffalo, Scotch 
born, of Ayr, son of a farmer, of the North of Scotland, breeder of the Fuller- 
ton Ayreshire cattle, a brave soldier of the rebellion; John B. Weber, of Buf- 
falo, a gallant soldier, and ex-sheriff of Erie county, and Walter L. Sessions, 
of Jamestown, well-known in State politics, who will be succeeded by Wil- 
liam G. Laidlaw, of Ellicottsville. 

Among their ladies in society were Mrs. Farquhar, who was Jane Wood, 
of Buffalo, daughter of W. B. Wood, a native of Cornwall, England; Mrs. 
Baker, who was Jane E. Yerkes, daughter of Silas A. Yerkes, of llie Phila- 
delphia fiuiiily of that name, who settled in Rochester in 1820, and became 
conspicuous in Inisiness and politics, is one of tlie most highly educated 
ladies in the Representatives' circle, having completed a five years' classical 
course at the Genesee Weslyan Seminary ; Mrs. Bacon, Mrs. Ketcham, who 
lives handsomely and entertains; Mrs. Swinburn, Mrs. Spriggs and daughter, 
Mrs. Millard, Mrs Payne, Mrs. Sawyer, Mrs. Weber and daugliter, and 
Mrs. Sessions. Next season the wife of Ira Davenport will be the bride 
of the Representatives circle, their marriage taking place after the close 
of Congress. Mrs. Davenjiort was Katherine Lawrence Sharpe, daughter 
of General George H. Sharpe, a prtinounced brunette, and very beautiful. 



138 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The Representatives and ladies of the New Jersey delegation make an in- 
teresting group in the social circle of the lower House. 

George Hires, of Salem, made himself felt as an industrious legislator. 
Mrs. Hires was Artie Padget, daughter of Captain Amos Padget, a wtll- 
known steamboat captain plying in the waters of New Jersey and New York, 
When she became Mrs. Hires she was Mrs. Hoogy, a widow. Her daughter 
will enter society next year. 

The capital district is represented by James Buchanan, who, unlike the dis- 
tinguished Pennsylvanian of tliat name, is a Republican. Although the last 
was his first term in Congress, his antecedent public career in State affairs 
gave him an equipment of experience and information which he applied with 
great service to his constituency, his State and his country. He is one of the 
most active champions of protection, particularly in earthenware and chma, 
the finest works of the kind being in his district. Mrs. Buchanan was a 
daughter of Mr. Bullock, a prominent merchant of Fleming. Her death was 
a sad loss. She was prominent in works of charity, assisting Mrs. Logan 
and other ladies. The ladies of the societies of which she was an active 
member passed resolutions of regret. 

Robert S. Green, who stepped out of Congress into the Gubernatorial 
chair in the last campaign, left the Congressional succession to fall into the 
hands of John Kean, Jr., of Elizabeth, a Republican. While the Governor 
was dispensing political favors at Trenton, Mrs. Greenand her popular daugh- 
ters, Kate, Isabella and Caroline, finished out the season at Washington be- 
fore they went to adorn the social surroundings of the Gubernatorial office of 
New Jersey, Their drawing-rooms were among the most attractive m the 
Congressional circle, Mrs. Green was Miss Mulligan, daughter of the presi- 
dent of the Second Avenue railroad, New York, a prominent Tammany Hall 
politician, and sister of the celebrated Colonel Mulligan, of the New York 
volunteers, in the late war. Miss Belle Green was the queen of the Gypsy 
dance in the Kirmes at Elizabeth last season, and created quite a furore among 
the fashionables, A son, Robert S, Green, Jr.,. is the fourth in direct descent 
in that family educated at Princeton. 

James Nelson Pidcock, began life as a civil engineer and served three years 
as a Democratic State Senator. 

William Walter Phelps, the millionaire of the delegation, is best known in 
political life as one of the close friends and advisers of James G. Blaine. As 
a delegate-at-large in the convention of 18S0, Mr. Phelps was one of the lead- 
ers of the Blaine forces, when Garfield, through infidelity to Shermaii and 
faithlessness to Blaine, walked off with the Presidential nomination. He is a 
man of slight frame, weighing not over one hundred and twenty pounds, with 



THE MIDDLE STATES REPRESENTATIVES. 1 39 

an oval face, conspicuous eyes and a forehead ornamented with an artistic bang, 
which might be the envy of any beautiful maiden. As an active and intelli- 
gent Representative, his counsel and adv'ce carry great weight in the parlia- 
mentary manteuvers on the Repulican side. Mrs. Phelps is one of the dis- 
f tinguished ladies in Washington society life. She was Ellen M. ShefBeld, 
daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, founder of the Sheffield Scliool of Science, an 
adjunct of Vale College. Mr. Siieffield was a large operator in cotton at the 
South, and amassed a fortune. He went to New Haven to educate his children, 
and there met Henry Farnham, an experienced engineer. Mr. Sheffield fur- 
nished the capital to take the contract for the construction of the Chicago, 
Rock Island and Pacific railroad, one of the first built across the State of Illi- 
nois. The road was completed before the termination of the limit of the con- 
tract. Mr. Sheffield, under these circumstances, operated the line himself for 
one year witli great profits. Mrs. Phelps is not only a very beautiful and ac- 
complished lady herself, but her daughter, Marian, a young lady under twen- 
ty, has a queenly figure and many accomplishments. She was educated at 
Paris and Stuttgart, under the care of a governess, and at Madame Febvre's 
celebrated sciiool at Baltimore. 

Herman Leidbach, of Newark, a native of Baden, began life as a surveyor. 
Mrs. Lehlbach, who was Gertrude M. Baldwin, daughter of Dr. Milton 
B Id win, a prominent physician of Newark, is alady of domestic inclinations. 

William Mc\doo, is one of the ablest young men of the House. He comes 
of the Scotch family anciently known as Maclan dhu, (son of Black John,) an- 
glicized in its present form of patronymic. He is one of the foremost Demo- 
cratic advocates of the policy of protection, and in all the bitter internecine con- 
flicts of his party in Congress on the tariff, he has stood by the great indus- 
trial interests of the important manufacturing municipalities of Jersey City, 
and Hoboken, in hi.s distjict, as against pro-British economic doctrines. Mr. 
McAdoo is a man of keen preceptions, a ready debator, and a conservative 
legislator. Mrs. Mc.\doo is a Virginian, her father having been engaged in 
mercantile pursuits at Lynchburg, and Richmond. She was one of the young 
wives among the ladies of the Representatives' families toward whom Mrs. 
Cleveland turned for congenial acquaintance pnd friendsliip when she entered 
the Executive Mansion as a bride. 

The second largest delegation in Congress is Pennsylvania, with twenty- 
eight Representatives, who not only figure conspicuously in general social 
affairs at the capital, but among themselves, with their handsome wives 
and beautiful daughters, constitute an interesting and gay circle. At the head 
of the delegation, in numerical order, stands General Edwin .S. Dsborne, of 
\N ilktsl)arre, Representative at-Large. He was a gfxKl (-oldicr and is a zeal- 



140 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ous legislator. Mrs. Osborne was Ruth Ball, one of the most cliarming 
young ladies of the Wyoming Valley. She is a direct descendant of that fa- 
mous old pioneer of over two centuries ago, Edward Ball, an English settler 
of Branford, Connecticut, before 1640, the first settler of Newark, New Jer- 
sey, and first surveyor of the Passaic river. He belonged to a congregation 
of colonizing Presbyterians from Connecticut in 1667, who opened that section 
of New Jersey, and extended across the State into Pennsylvania. Mrs. Os- 
borne's father was William Ball, of Carbondale, the fifth generation from Ed- 
ward Ball. He was one of the original managers of the Delaware and Hud- 
son Company's enterprises in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and projector of 
the celebrated gravity road. 

General Henry H. Bingham is a widower, his wife, who was Mary Alexan- 
der, daughter of Thomas S. Alexander, one of Baltimore's eloquent lawyers, 
having died two years ago. He was a brave soldier and carries scars of Get- 
tysburg, Spottsylvania, and Farmville. He is a power in county, State, and 
national conventions. 

Representative Charles O'Neill is a bachelor and legislator of long stand- 
ing. He is now in his twelfth Congress consecutively. He is very popular 
jn Washington society, especially among the ladies, but the progress of years 
now tallying at sixty-five has overcome the ardor of former times in the enjoy- 
ment of fashionable follies. 

Samuel J. Randall is the most skilful parliamentarian, ready debater and 
adroit leader on the Democratic side of the House. He began life as a mer- 
chant, municipal politics as councilman, and State politics as Senator. He 
entered Congress in 1863, and was three times, 1876, 1877, and 1879, elected 
Speaker. Mrs. Randall is a native of Westchester county, New York, and 
daughter of Aaron Ward, a close friend of Andrew Jackson, Representative 
in Congress for fourteen years between 1825-43. Ann Randall, their daugh- 
ter, is the wife of Charles Calvert Lancaster, a prominent lawyer of Washing- 
ton. Their younger daughter, Susan, is still at school. 

Alfred C. Harmer is the most stately looking member of the delegation. 
He has been specially conspicuous since he entered the Forty-second Con- 
gress for his untiring zeal in behalf of American industry. Mrs. Harmer 
was Lizzie Miller, of Mauch Chunk, whose father was one of the co-laborers 
of Asa Packer in the pioneer days of industrial development in the Lehigh 
Valley. 

James Bowen Everhart, who has been succeeded by Smedley Darlington, 
of West Chester, is a bachelor. He appeard little in society. Dr. I. New- 
ton Evans, of Hatboro, who has been succeeded by Robert M. Yardley, of 
Doylestown, was a zealous attendant upon his public and social duties. Mrs. 



THE MIDDI.F, STATKS REI'RESENTATIVKS. I4I 

Evans was Miss Elizabeth Comly, of Montgomery county. Her dauf^hter, 
Miss Gertrude Evans, assisted her in society. 

Daniel Ermentrout, of Reading, is one of the energetic members of the 
lower House. Mrs. Ermentrout, was Adelaide Louise Metzgar, daughter of 
I one of Lancaster county's foremost merchants. She is interesting in conver- 
sation, attractive m person, and genial in manner, and one of the popular ladies 
of the Representatives social sphere. 

J. A. Hiestand, of Lancaster, lawyer, journalist, and politician, belongs to 
the quartette of celibates in the delegation. Lancaster, congressionally, runs 
to bachelors, in the list appearing such names as James Buchanan, President 
of the United States; Thaddeus Stevens, the " groat Commoner ; '' A. Herr 
Smith, the prudent counsel, and J. A. Heistand, the shrewd politician. Mr. 
Heistand was one of the builders of the stalwart Republican machine in Penn- 
sylvania, under tlie directing genius of the elder Cameron. He goes into so- 
ciety on all ceremonial occasions. 

\V. H. Sowden is a well-dressed, shrewd, short, stout, daimond-sludded 
figure, a sample of the Pennsylvania German Democrat. He is not only an 
astute politician, parliamentarian and courtier, but his family is popular in the 
very best ran'.s of official and fashionable life at the capital. Mrs. Sowden, a 
beautiful woman, was Mary Alice Huntsinger, daughter of P^dward Huntsin- 
ger, a merchant of Schuylkill Haven. Her charming daughter Bessie took the 
highest honors, and was the valedictorian of her class at home, and graduated 
at the seminary at Lutherville, Md., a year ago. 

J. B. Storm, who will be followed by Ex-United .States Senator Charles R. 
Buckalew, of Bloomsburg, is a close student, high up in educational matters, 
and a Jeffersonian Democrat. Mrs. Storm was Miss Keller, of Monroe coun- 
ty, and has three interesting daughters. Miss Nellie S'.orm, a beautiful girl 
under twenty, made her debut last season, and was one of the attractive young 
ladies in the Representatives' circle. 

Joseph A. Scranlon, who comes by nativity from Connecticut, but a Penn- 
sylvanian since 1847, represents the region of the old Connecticut claims. He 
will be succeeded by John Lynch, of Wilkesbarre. Mrs. Scranton, a queenly 
woman, was Ada Meylert, daughter of war Democrat, General Meylert. Her 
daughter Lida was another of the Pennsylvania Congressional debutantes of 
last season. Miss .Scranton is a l)runette, tall, and (jf the form of a beautiful 
piece of statuary. The Scrantons were among the much-sought-after social 
stars of the capital. 

Charles \. Brumm, of Minersville, began as a watchmaker, and was a stu 
dent at law when he entered the ranks of the defenders of the Union undir 
the first call of Lincoln for volunteers. He is about all that is left of the 



142 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Greenback ciaze of ten years ago. His father was a German from Schoen- 
brucken, and his mother was born near Strasburg, Germany. Mrs. Brumm, 
a most estimable lady, was Virginia James, of Minersville, a daughter of 
"William James, one of the early coal operators of the Schuylkill basin, and sis- 
ter of Henry James, district attorney of Schuylkill county. 

The capital district is represented by Frankhn Bound, of Milton. Mrs. 
Bound, Emma C. Brown, of Milton, has taken little part in fashionable life, 
as she has a little society of her own in her interesting family. Frank C. 
Bunnell finished the unexpired term of Ulysses Mercur in Congress in 1872, 
but disappeared, and did not appear again until the last Congress. Mrs. 
Bunnell, formerly Martha Smith, is the daughter of a sturdy Monroe county 
farmer. 

William Wallace Brown, of Bradford, a native of New York, who passed 
from the New York to tiie Pennsylvania service in the first year of the Rebel- 
lion, and subsequently became aide to General Hartranft, entered with the 
Forty-eighth and went out with the Forty-ninth Congress, having been suc- 
ceeded by Henry C. McCormick, of Williamsport. Miss Ellen Crandall, of 
Allegheny county, New York, where Mr. Brown was educated, became Mrs. 
Brown. Her daughter Jessie is an attractive young lady, either in her home 
or in society. General Jacob Miller Campbell, an old-time printer, a Missis- 
sippi steamboatman, a "Forty-niner" of California, a Pennsylvania volunteer 
who rose from lieutenant to colonel, and one of the few remaining delegates 
to the first Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, in 1856, is an- 
other relic of the first dynasty of Republican rule in the Commonwealth of 
Penn. His services have run through four Congresses, with one intermis- 
sion. Edward Scull, of Somerset, will succeed him. Mrs. Campbell was 
Mary R. Campbell, of Alleghenny county. Pa. Her elder daughter is Mrs 
J. G. Kinney, of Braddock, Pa. Her younger daughter, in society, is Miss 
Eva A. Campbell, who has spent mu:h time in Washington, with her father. 
Dr. Louis E, Atkinson, of MifBintown, entered the medical department of 
the United States army, in 1861, and was badly disabled in service. He is a 
man of high education and ac;omplishments. Mrs. Atkinson was Mary 
Mathers, daughter of James Mathers, a leading attorney at the Mifilintovvn 
bar. 

Dr. John A, Swope, who lives on the historic field of Gettysburg, comes 
down in direct line from Colonel Swope, of the Pennsylvania line in the Con- 
tinental army. The first Mrs. Swope left three daughters, Mrs. Burrell, of 
Williamsport, Pa.; Mrs. Claybaugh, of Tawneytown, Md., and Mrs. Dully, 
of Gettysburg, Pa. The present Mrs. Swope was Blanche Mitchell, of Wash- 
ington county, Pa. Dr. Swope has purchased a beautiful house in Washing- 



THK MIDDLE STATKS RKPRESENATIVKS. 143 

ton, where he will establish Mrs. Swope, wlu) will superintend the education 
of her three daughters. Col. Levi Maish, of York, a nieniber of a former 
Congress, will be Dr. Swope's successor. 

One of the most interesting figures in Congress is the venerable war Gov- 
ernor of Pennsylvania, Andrew Gregg Curtin, who lives in the charming 
mountain town of Bellefonte. His most notable achievement in his long and 
varied public service was the organization of the great army of Pennsylvania 
volunteers who responded to the call to arms in defense of the Union. The 
Ex-Governor is in great demand in all important social entertainments of the 
capital. He is a brilliant conversationalist, full of wit and wisdom, and as an 
after-dinner speaker has no superiors. In 1868 he was the choice of the Sol- 
diers' Convention for Vice-President of the United States. His grandfather, 
United States Senator Andrew Gregg, married a daughter of Gen Potter, who 
went to Centre county in 1765, and built Potter's Fort, in Penn's valley. The 
Ex-Governor will be succeeded by John Patton, of Curwensville, a Republi- 
can. Mrs. Curtin is a sister of the late Colonel William Wilson, an officer on 
General Hancock's staff, and a grand daughter of General Potter, of Revolu- 
tionary fame as commander of t'ne Pennsylvania line She has several mar- 
ried daughters— Mrs. Sage, of Ithaca, N. V., and Mrs. Dr. Harris, of Belle- 
fonte, and a daughter the widow of Captain Breeze, of the navy. Miss Katie 
Curtin, the youngest daughter, and a great favorite in society, is in bad health. 

Charles E. Boyle^ whose successor will be Welty McCullough, a Rejiubli- 
can, of Greensburg, was a Representative of distinguished ability, as was 
shown on numerous occasnns, when he was pressed to the front in grave 
parliamentary and political emergencies. Mrs. Boyle was Miss Henderson, 
of Uniontown, a farmer's daughter. She is a woman of remarkable force. 
In society she exhibits all the grace and ease of one born to fashionable life 
I ler two interesting daughters, Fannie and Florence, and son, C. E. Boyle, 
Jr., are at school in Philadelphia. 

General James S. Negley, who will be succeeded by John Dalzell, also of 
Pittsliurg, was a brave soldier in Mexico. In the late war he began as a 
brigadier and ended as a ir.ajor general of volunteers. Mrs. Negley was 
Grace Ashton, a niece of Hubley Ashton, the distinguished counselor. Her 
daughters, Grace, Edith, and .Mabel, are at school. Her sister. Miss Dolly 
Ashton, is a tall, beautiful blonde. 

Colonel Thomas M. Bayne won his title as the gallant commander of the 
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and his reputation 
for the highest qualities of a soldier, at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. 
Ills first Congressional attempt was a failure, owing to divided parly interest. 
In the next contest, for the Forty-fifth Congress, he came out triumphantly. 



144 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and since then has effectively demonstrated his worth as a National represent- 
ative and legislator. Mrs. Bayne, who was Miss Ellen Smith, of Pitt;lnirg, 
daughter of Dr. William Smith, of one of the oldest and most liighly res- 
pected of the families of western Pennsylvania, is an exceptionally beautiful 
woman. She is tall and queenly, a brunette, with jet-black eyes and raven 
hair. She dresses elegantly and takes a prominent part in society. 

Oscar L Jackson is a bachelor. In State affairs he was a member of the 
commission to codify the laws and to devise a plan for the government of 
cities of Pennsylvania. His abilities are felt in the business of the House. 

Alexander Colwell White, whose successor is James T. Maffett, of Corry, 
taught school for the means of an education, and served in the ranks of the 
Union army. Mrs. White was Ellen Mary Murray, also a native of Jefferson 
county. She was a very agreeable acquisition to the Pennsylvania colony du- 
ring the season. 

Captain George W. Fleeger, a widower, was a brave soldier and a sagacious 
legislator. He was not a candidate for reelection. His district will be repre- 
sented by Norman Hall, of Sharon. 

William L. Scott, of Erie, lives in princely style, on Farragut Square, in 
one of the finest private residences in Washington. Mr. Scott is a native of 
Washington, began life in 1840 as a page in the House of Representatives, 
and settled in Erie eight years after, as a shipping clerk. In later life he was 
connected in business with Samuel J. Tilden. He is one of the party leaders 
of the Democracy in State and national politics, and has twice been elected in 
a strongly Republican district. Mrs. Scott was Miss Mary Tracy, daughter 
of John Tracy, p- eminently connected with the Chicago and Northwestern 
railroad. Her eldest daughter, Minnie Tracy Scott, is the accomplished wife 
of R. H. Townsend, jr., of Cassatt, Townsend & Co., bankers, Philadelphia. 
Her younger daughter, Annie M. Scott, is Mrs, Strong, the charming wife of 
the president of the Union Coal Company. Mr. Scott's daughter, Mrs. Town- 
send, who visits Washington, winters, entertains magnificently at her father's 
residence. Her drawing-rooms, teas, and evening receptions are among the 
great social events of the season. Mr. Scott is the wealthiest man in the 
House of Representatives, the value of his possessions exceeding fifteen mil- 
lion dollars. He is the largest individual coal operator in the world, employ- 
ing ten thousand men in mining and shipping. He has anthracite mines in 
Eastern Pennsylvania, and bituminous mines in Western Pennsylvania, Illi- 
nois, and Iowa. He also owns docks for the shipment of his coal, at all the 
principal ports on the chain of northern lakes. He is very fond of blooded 
race stock. In addition to his Erie farm, he has a farm of 3,000 acres at 
Charles City, Virginia, for wintering his horses. 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVYS. 145 

The distinguished Representative, in the Forty-ninth Congress, from Dela- 
ware, Charles B. Lore, t)f Wihnington, a gentleman ofcuhure and learning, 
who will he succeeded by John B. Pennington, one of the most prominent 
men of his State, was one of the active members of the House of Repre- 
sentatives. Mrs. Lore was Rebecca A. Bates, daughter of Josiah Bates, a 
prominent manufacturer of Mount Holly, N. J. She has spent each season 
at Washington during Mr. Lore's service in the House. Her social attrac- 
tions will long be remembered. Her beautiful daughter, Emma, is finishing 
her education. She is an accomplished musician, and created a sensation at 
one of her mother's popular drawing-rooms by the excellence of her per- 
formances. 

Among Mrs, Lore's guests was Harriet Pennawall Belt, daughter of Z. 
James Belt, a prominent citizen of Wilmington, who before reaching twenty 
had written several novels of positive merit. She is also a fine musician. 



CHAPTER XXL 

The Western and Pacific Representatives. 
The men and women who built up a western empire— typical of 

the spirit ok AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS — THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM 
OHIO, INDIANA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, 
KANSAS, NEBRASKA, COLORADO, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND OREGON — 
THEIR LADIES. 

(hysi ROM the ten cis and trans-Mississippi States which occupy an area of 
hIv/ ^l^out seven hundred and fifty thousand square miles in the great region 
\J^ of agricultural industries, and rapidly expanding manufacturing inter- 
ests, with a population of filteen million inhabitants, gather at the seat of Gov- 
ernment one hundred and one Representatives who exert a controlling in- 
fluence in Congressional affairs. They are generally men of rugged character, 
but sterling qualities, and possess all the fire and spirit of western institutions. 
They are, as a rule, the men or the sons ot the men and women who within 
their own generation transformed the great basin of the upper Mississippi and 
its tributaries from a wild region of the most fierce and warlike of the aborigi- 
nal tribes of the American hemisphere, and the scene of the most desperate 
experiences, and bloody encounters of frontier life in the irresistable westward 
march of the course of empire, into a land of peace, security, civilization and 
progress. In their social habits and inclinations, they are typical of the earn- 
estness and aggressiveness of the American character. Among the ladies of 
their families are the noblest examples of American womanhood, wIkj illus- 
10 



146 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

trate the adaptability of American women to any sphere in life, however his^h 
and exacting. 

The oldest of these States, Ohio, sent to the lower branch of the Forty- 
ninth Congress a delegation of men who exerted a positive influence in legisla- 
tion, and who appeared prominently in social affairs. In the list were Benjamin 
Butterworth, and Charles Ellvvood Brown, the former one of the leaders on 
the left of the House, and the lat:er a brave soldier, having lost a leg before 
Atlanta; James E. Campbell, of Hamilton; Charles M. Anderson, ofGreen- 
•ville; Benjamin Lefevre, of Maplewood; William D. Hill, of Defiance; 
George Egbert Seney, of Tiffin — a man of influence in State and national pol- 
itics ; John Little, of Xenia, former Attorney General of Ohio; William C. 
Cooper of Mount Vernon, mayor and legislator ; Jacob Romeis, of Toledo, 
a protectionist who twice defeated Frank Hurd, a freetrader, in a Democratic 
■district; William W. Ellsberiy, of Georgetown, a distinguished physician, 
and medical authority ; Albert Clifton Thompson, of Portsmouth, who left 
the bench to serve in the war, receiving dangerous wounds ; Joseph H. Outh- 
waite, of Columbus, an educator and attorney; Charles H. Grosvenor, of 
Athens, grandson of Col. Thomas Grosvener of the second Connecticut regi- 
ment, in the Revolution, son of major Peter Grosvenor in the tenth Connec- 
ticut in the war of 1812, and himself a Brevet Brigadier General in the war of 
the Rebellion; Beriah Wilkins, of Urichsville; George W. Geddes, of Mans- 
field, distinguished on the bench and at the bar ; A. J. Warner, of Marietta, 
wounded at Antietam; Isaac Hamilton Taylor, of Carrolton ; Ezra B. Taylor, 
of W^arren, of the Ohio bench; William McKinley, jr., of Canton, one of the 
leaders of the protection forces of the Republicans, and Martin Ambrose 
P'oran, of Cleveland, an authority on legal and constitutional questions. 

In the new Congress, through the re- districting of the State, Messrs. An- 
derson, Le Fevre, Hill, Little, 1 Usberry, Geddes, Warner, and I. H. Taylor, 
disappear from the roll, and E. S. Williams, of Troy ; S. S. Yoder, of Lima; 
M. M. Boothman, of Bryan; Robert P. Kennedy, of Bellefontaine; Jacob J. 
Pugsley, ofHillsboro; Charles Wickham, of Norwalk ; Joseph D. Taylor, of 
Cambridge, and George W. Crouse, of Akron, take their places. 

The ladies of the Ohio delegation were also active in the social life of Con- 
gress. Mrs. Butterworth, who was Mary E. Seller, of Harrisburg, daughter 
of a prominent member of the Dauphin county bar, was one of the society 
leaders. Her daughter, Mary E. Butterworth, not yet in society, is very 
pretty and will be a great favorite. Mrs. Romeis was Miss Kate Wscheeige, 
daughter of a citizen of Buffalo. Her daughter Emma is Mrs. Albert Kuhn, 
of Buffalo, and Catharine is Mrs. Charles Bhaer, of Toledo. Mrs. McKinley 
was Ida Saxton, whose grandfather was a pioneer and father a banker. The 



THK WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. 147 

Other ladies in Washington during tlie season were Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. An- 
derson, two daughters of Representative Brown, Mrs, Seney, a beautiful and 
accomplished lady, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Outhwaite, Mrs. Grosvenor and 
daughter, Mrs. Wilkins, Mrs. Geddes, Mrs. I. H. Taylor, and the daughter 
of Representative E. B. Taylor. 

The Indiana delegation is another of the strong Western representations in 
the House, and its ladies are among the most agreeable in social life. In the 
group are General Thomas M. Brown, of Winchester, a conspicuous figure 
in Slate and National politics; William S. Ilolman, of Aurora, who has been 
elected to twelve Congresses; George W, Steele, of Marian, a gallant soldier 
of volunteers and regulars, and an active legislator; John J. Kleiner, former 
mayor of Evansville, whose suc:essor is Alvm P. Hovey, of Mount Vernon; 
Thomas R. Cobb, of Vincennes, who gives way to John H. O'Neall, of Wash- 
ington; Jonas G. Howard, of Jeffersonville; Courtland C. Matson, of Green 
Castle, one of the active men of the House; William D. Bynum, of Indian- 
apolis, former Speaker of the State lower House; James T. Johnson, of 
Rockville, a bright lawyer; Thomas B. Ward, of Lafayette, a learned judge, 
who has been succeeded by Joseph B. Cheadle, of Frankfort; William D. 
Owen, of Logansport, a minister of the Christian church; Robert Lowry, of 
Fort Wayne, judge and politician, who will be succeeded by ]ames B. White, 
of the same city, and George Ford, of South Bend, a fine lawyer, who drops 
out for Benjamin F. Shively. 

The ladies of the delegation who were present during the season were Mrs 
Holman, who was Abigail Knapp, of Vermont, daughter of a Methodist min- 
ister. Miss Pamelia D. Holman, and Flora Eliza Holman the wife of L. C. 
Fletcher, a lawyer, assisted their mother in her social duties, and made her 
drawing-rooms exceedingly popular. Mrs. Steele was Marietta Swazee, 
daughter of one of the pioneers of Indiana, and a prominent lay delegate to 
the Methodist conference at Baltimore, in 1879. During Colonel Steele's ser- 
vice as a regular officer on the frontiers, Mrs. Steele shared in the isolation of 
camp life. Her daughter, Meta Steele, in her teens, is an exceedingly bright 
young girl. Mrs. Steele is one of the attractive ladies of Congressional so- 
ciety. Mrs. Bynum is also prominent in social life. Mrs. Ward and her 
three daughters, Mrs. Lowry and daughter, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. Kleiner, Mrs. 
Johnston, and Mrs. Ford were among the other ladies. 

The Representatives from Illinois number twenty, and with their ladies 
former! an important social circle of their own, in the Forty-ninth Congress. 
Ransom W. Dunham, president of the Board of Trade, and Mrs. Dunham, 
were favorites in society; Frank Lawler, and Mrs. Lawler, and daughter; 
James H. Ward, wh(j will be succeeded by William E. Mason, and George 



148 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Everett Adams, and Mrs. Adams, mads up the Congressional and social rep- 
resentation of the lake metropolis of Chicago. 

The interior representatives who are known in Congressional and social af- 
fairs, are Albert J. Hopkins, and wife, of Aurora; Robert Roberts Hitt, of 
Mount Morris, Secretary of Legation, at Paris, and later assistant Secretary 
of State ; and Mrs. Hitt, who are well known members of Washington soci- 
ety; Thomas J Henderson, of Princeton, a colonel in the late war, and Mrs- 
Henderson; Ralph Plumb, of Streator, active in business and politics; Lewis 
E. Payson, of Pontiac, formerly a county judge, and Mrs. Payson ; Nicholas 
Ellsworth Worthington, a prominent educator, who will be succeeded by 
Philip S. Post, of Galesburg; William H. Neece, of McComb, whose succes- 
sor will be William H. Gest, of Rock Island, and James Riggs, of Winches- 
ter, sheriff and legislator, to be succeeded by George A. Anderson, of Quincy. 
William M. Springer, of Springfield, is one of the best known members of 
the House. Mrs. Springer, Rebecca Ruter, daughter of Rev. Calvin W. 
Ruter, a distinguished member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is the 
author of " Beechwood," "Self," and many fugitive poems of high merit 
and among their guests v ere Josephine Plamilton, of Ocean Grove, New 
Jersey, Miss Alice F. Chempion, of Germantown, Philadelphia, and Miss 
Dollie Armstrong, a niece, of Floience, Lidiana. Their son, Ruter W 
Springer, will graduate at the Northwestern L'niversity, Evanston, Illinois 
In the list are also Jonathan H. Rowell, of Bloomington, States attorney, 
and wife; Joseph G. Cannon, of Danville, an astute politician, and Mrs 
Cannon, who was Mary P. Reed, of Canfield, Ohio, and two beautiful daugh 
ters, Helen, educated at Wellesly, and Mable, educated in Washington ; Silas 
Z. Landes, of Mount Carmel; John R. Eden, of Sullivan, who will be fol 
lowed by Edward Lane, of Hillsborough, and William R. Morrison, of Wa- 
terloo, who failing of election, was appointed a member of the Inter-State 
Commerce commission. He was the leader of the free trade forces in Con 
gress, and with his estimable wife, was a prominent feature in social life. He 
will be succeeded by Jehu Baker, of Belleville. Mrs. Morrison was Miss 
Ella Horine, one of the most popular young girls of Monroe county, Illinois, 
which is also the native county of her liusband. Her father was a merchant 
of Waterloo, and one of the most influential and active Republicans of lower 
Illinois. In the famous Lincoln and Douglas campaign for the Senate Mr. 
Horine was the Lincoln candidate for the Legislature, and Colonel Moriison 
was his Douglas opponent. The Colonel distanced his father in-law. Miss 
Horine was educated at the Illinois Methodist College for ladies, at Jackson- 
ville, and became Mrs. Morrison before she was eighteen. When Mr. Morri- 
son was a member of the Legislature at Springfield, she was with him, assist- 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. I49 

ing in his correspondence, and making liis social life attractive. When lie fell 
in the desperate assault on Fort Donaldson, at tlie head of the gallant Forty- 
ninth Illinois, and was reported killed, she hastened to tlie front of battle. She 
found awaiting her the sad but liopeful consolation of her brave husband's life 
spared, though sulTering from a dangerous wound in tlie hip Colonel Mor- 
lison's is the only name mentioned by the departed chieftain, Grant, in his ac- 
count, in his memoires, of that deadly assault. Mrs. Morrison is a woman of 
attractive appearance, fine culture, and large experience. 

Richard W. Townshend, of Shawneetown, is another accomplished and 
genial man in his personal relations, and a strong man in the House. Mrs. 
Townshend is the daughter of Orville Poole, of Shawneetown, an old line 
Whig and banker, now deceased. Their daughter, Madeline, is in her teens. 
John R. Thomas, of Metropolis, is an agreeable member of Washington so- 
ciety. Mrs Thomas was Jessie Beattie, of Red Bud, Illinois, daughter of 
Dr. A. B. Beattie, who was surgeon of Colonel W. R. Morrison's 49th Illi- 
nois volunteers. His father settled in Randolph county, Illinois, in 1808. 
Dr. Beattie, originally from South Carolina, is a professor in McKendree Col- 
lege, Lebanon, Illinois, and also in the St. Louis Medical University. Repre- 
sentative Thomas' daughter, Caroline, is attending Monticello College, near 
Alton. A young son is also at school. Among their guests were Miss Cora 
Draper, of Sanford, Florida, a niece, a beautiful blonde, and Miss Zaidee 
Thomas, of Baltimore, daughter of ex-Collector John L. Thomas, a charming 
brunette, and both very popular and greatly admired. 

In the Michigan delegation five out of the members of the Forty-ninth 
have been re-placed by new figures in the Fiftieth Congress. William C. May- 
bury, of Detroit, former lecturer on medical jurisprudence in the Michigan 
College of Medicine, will be succeeded by J. Logan Chipman; Nathaniel B. 
Eldridge, of Adrian, former mayor and sheriff of his town and county, will 
be succeeded by Edward Allen, of Ypsilanti; James O'Donnell, of Jackson, 
editor of the yackson Daily Citizen, and Julius C. Burrows, of Kalama/.oo, 
a gentleman of fine oratorical powers and wide public experience, will remain. 
Charles Carter Comstock, of Grand Rapids, ex-mayor of his city, will be 
succeeded liy Mellx)urne II. Ford, of the same place; Edwin B. Winans, of 
Hamburg, probate judge, by Mark S. Brewer, of Pontiac; and Ezra C. 
Carleton, of Port Huron, merchant and ex-mayor, by Justin R. Whiting, of 
Saint Clair. Timothy E. Tarsney, of East Saginaw, one of the aggressive 
men of Congress; Byron M. Cutcheon, of Manistee, one of the bravest sol- 
diers in the army, having risen to the command of the second brigade, first 
division, army of tlie Potomac; Spencer O. Fisher, of West Bay City, ex- 
mayor, and Seth C. Moffat, of Traverse City, active in Michigan politics, have 
been continued. 



150 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The ladies of the delegation were Mrs. O'Donnell, Mrs. Burrows, who is 
well known, Mrs. Comstock, Mrs. Carleton and daughter, Mrs. Cutcheon 
and Mrs. Fisher 

The State of Wisconsin sends nine Representatives to the constituent as- 
sembly of the people in affairs of legislation in the persons of Lucien B. Case- 
well, of Fort Atkinson, a pupil of Senator Matt W. Carpenter ; Edward S. 
Bragg, of Fond du Lac, a gallant solder of the rebellion; Robert M. La Fol- 
lette, of Madison, former district attorney; Isaac W. Van Schaick, of Mil- 
waukee, councilman and legislator, who will be succeeded by Henry Smith, 
an Independent; Thomas R. Hudd, of Green Bay, Assemblyman and Sena- 
tor; Richard Guenther, of Oshkosh, former State Treasurer of Wisconsin, 
to be succeeded by Charles Clark, of Neenah; Ormsby B. Thomas, of 
Prairie du Chien, soldier, lawyer, and legislator and Isaac Stephenson, of 
Marinette, prominent in local affairs. The late Mr. Price will be succeeded 
by N. P. Hangen. 

Of the five Representatives from Minnesota, in the Forty-ninth Congress, 
but one will appear in the Fiftieth. Milo White, of Chatfield, former State 
Senator, has been succeeded by Thomas Wilson, of Winona; James B. 
B. Wakefeld, of Blue Earth, ex Lieutenant Governor, by John Lind, of New 
Ulm; Horace B. Strait, of Shakopee, merchant and banker, by John L. Mc- 
Donald, of the same place, and John B. GilfiUan, of Minneapolis, city attor- 
ney and State Senator, by Edmund Rice, of St. Paul. Knute Nelson, of Al- 
exandria, private soldier. Assemblyman, and State Senator, will be the only 
familiar figure of the delegation. 

The State of Iowa sends Benton J. Hall, of Burlington, now Commissioner of 
Patents, who has been succeeded by John H. Gear, of that place; Jere- 
miah H. Murphy, ex-mayor, of Davenport, to be succeeded by Walter J. 
Hayes, of Clinton; David Brenner Henderson, of Dubuque, a gallant sol- 
dier able lawyer, and skillful politician; W^illiam E. Fuller, of West Union, 
a member of the Republican State Committee; Benjamin Todd Frederick, 
of Marshalhown, succeeded by Daniel Kerr, of Grundy Centre; J. B. Weaver, 
of Blocmfield, private, lieutenant, major, and colonel of the Second Iowa 
Infantry, succeeding both the lieutenant-colonel and colonel, who were killed 
in the battle of Corinth; Edwin H. Conger, of Adel, ex-State Treasurer of 
Iowa ; William Peters Hepburn, of Clarinda, general of brigade of cavalry, 
16th army corps, who will be succeeded by A. R. Anderson, Independent, of 
Sydney; Joseph Lyman, of Council Bluffs, another of Iowa's gallant soldiers; 
Adoniram Judson Holmes, of Boone, State legislator, and Isaac S. Stubble, 
of Le Mars, a private soldier in the late war, a prominent lawyer. 

The ladies of the delegation also made an interesting group m the social 



THE WESTERN REPRESENTATIVES. 



'51 



life of Washington. Mrs. Henderson, a very charming lady, was Augusta 
Fox, daughter of A. II. Fox, of Los Angeles, (.'alifornia. Her daughter 
Angie, who last season entered society in Dubuque, will make her debut in 
Washington. Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. Conger, and two daughters of Mr. FVed- 
erick were also among the Iowa ladies of the Representatives circle 

The young and aggressive State of Kansas has returned all but one of her 
Representatives. In the list, therefore, appears the familiar name of Edmund 
N. Morrill, of Hiawatha, a member of the Territorial Legislature of Kansas, 
and President /r«7 /V-w. of the State Senate, 1879; Edward H. Funston, of 
lola, farmer, legislator, Speaker of the State Assembly; Bishop W. Perkins, 
of Oswego, six times elected to the bench; Thomas Ryan, of Topeka, who 
bears scars of the desperate battles of the Wilderness, Assistant United States 
attorney for Kansas; John A Anderson, of Manhattan, Presbyterian minis- 
ter, chaplain, educator; Lewis Ilanbach, of Osborne, State judge, who will 
be succeeded by Erastus J. Turner, of Kenneth, and Samuel Ritter Peters, 
State Senator and judge. 

Among the ladies of the delegation in Washington during the season were 
Mrs. Ryan, a Miss Sarah E. Coolbaugh, ofTowanda, Penns}lvania, daughter 
of a farmer on the North Branch of the Susquehanna, a favorite i \ social 
circles. Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Peters were among the other ladies. 

The Representatives in Congressional and social lifenumber three from Ne- 
braska. Archibald S. Weaver, of Falls City, constitutional lawyer and judge, 
after serving in two Congresses, wi 1 be succeeded by John A. McShane, of 
C^maha; James Laird, of Hastings, a Michigan and Nebraska lawyer, and 
George W. Dorsey, of Fremont, a Union soldier, from West Virginia, a law- 
yer and banker of Nebraska, and chairman of his State Republican Committee. 
Mrs. Dorsey, who is one of the prettiest and most agreeable ladies in Wash- 
ington society, was Emma E. Benton, of New Haven, Connecticut. Her 
father, a leading lawyer, belonged to one of the oldest families in New En- 
gland. Mrs. Dorsey is a lady of medium size, fine figure, dark blue eyes, 
tme manners, and full of taste in her toilettes. 

The .State of Colorado, dividing amid the peaks of the Rocky mountains, 
and sweeping Atlantic*ard, and Pacificward, appropriately rounded the first 
century of the Republic in its admission into the Union, in the Centennial 
year, as the Centennial Commonwealth, and well defines the limits of that 
great inter-oceanic empire which sweeps from the Allegheny to the Rocky 
mountains. In the council of the people it is reprtsented by George G. 
Symes, of Denver, who beginning his career in the ranks of the brave Wiscon- 
sin volunteers, at the first battle of Bull Run, served with distinction to the 
end of the war, in defense of tiic Union, and from associate justice of the 



152 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Supreme Court of Montani, became a resident of Colorado two years before 
it became a State. 

Mrs. .Symes figures in the gay life of the capital, not only very pleasantly, 
but makes the social surroundings of the Representative of the youngest of 
the sisterhood of States very attractive and popular. 

The three Pacific States embracing an area of nearly four hundred thousand 
square miles, with little over a million people, send eight Representatives to 
the capital to participate in the work of legislation, and who do credit to their 
constituencies in the affairs of social life. 

In the list from the golden State of California, are Barclay Henley, of Santa 
Rosa, son of Thomas J. Henley, Representative from Indiana, 1842-49, mem- 
ber of the State Assembly, who will be succeded by T. L. Thompson, of Santa 
Rosa; J. A. Loutitt, of Stockton, who will be followed by Marion Biggs, of 
Gridley ; Joseph McKenna, of Suisun, a Republican politician of prominence ; 
William W. Morrow, of San Francisco, chairman of the Republican State 
Committee; Charles N. Felton, of San Mateo, former assistant Treasurer of 
the United States, and Henry H. Markham, of Pasadena, who will be suc- 
ceeded by William Vandever, of Los Angeles 

The ladies of the delegation were not only very attractive, but among the 
most popular in the social gayeties of the season. They were Mrs. Henley, 
Mrs. McKenra, Mrs. Markham, and Miss Felton, 

The State of Nevada, with a population of less than one half the quota to 
entitle it to a single representation in Congress, takes its place congressionally 
and socially in the person of William Woodburn, of Virginia City, who was 
a member of the Forty fourth before he entered the Forty-ninth Congress, 
and is one of the active men on the floor. 

The distant State of Oregon is also well represented by Dinger Herman, 
of Roseburg, a legislator of State experience, which has been put to honora- 
ble use in the larger sphere of making laws for a nation. 




THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 1 53 



CHAPTER XXII. 
The Southern Representatives. 

A NEW generation IN THE CONGRESSIONAL AND SOCIAI. LIFE OF THE CAP- 
ITAL — THE REPRESENTATIVES, AND THEIR LADIES, OF MARYLAND, VIR- 
GINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, ALAHAMA, 
MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, MISSOURI, TENNESSEE, KEN- 
TUCKY, AND WEST VIRGINIA. 

fIFTEEN States of the south contribute one hundred and twenty Repre- 
sentatives to the membership of the lower House of Congress, and 
\;5^j with their ladies form an interesting representation of the social life, 
habits, and customs of a section comprising one fourth the whole area of the 
United States, and one third their population. With two or three exceptions, 
out of the entire list, none remain of the days of the brilliant regime of the 
old school of southern statesmen and politician. The events of a quarter 
of a century have brought into the counsels of the nation and in the social life 
of the capital a new generation. 

In this bright array of the progressive statesmanship and social culture of 
the constituencies of the South, Maryland leads in geographical position. In 
the personnel of her delegation she presents Charles Hopper Gibson, of 
Easlon, auditor and commissioner in Chancery and state's attorney ; Frank 
T, Shaw, of Westminster, clerk of the Circuit Court, andmemberof the Dem- 
ocratic State Central Committee of his portion of the State; Henry W'ells Rusk, 
of Baltimore, former member of the House of Delegates and Senate ; Jolin V. 
L. Findlay, of Baltimore, ex-city solicitor, who will be succeeded by Isi- 
dor Raynor ; Barnes Compton, of Laurel, who was state treasurer when 
elected to Congress, and Lewis Emory McComas, of Hagerstown, one of the 
youngest, being thirty-nine, and one of the handsomest members of the 
House on the Republican side. 

The ladies of the Maryland delegation, Mrs. Rusk, Mrs. Findlay, and Mrs. 
McComas, were among the most attractive in the circles of fashionable gaye- 
ties at the capital. Mrs. McComas, a native of Baltimore, and very popular 
in society, as a young lady, was Leah M. Humrichouse, daughter of C. W. 
Humrichouse, a well-known merchant of that city. Miss Emma McComas, 
a sister of the Representative, was among her guests, and contributed to the 
attractions of the members' social surroundings. 

The representation from Virginia in tlie Fiftieth Congress will lose eight 
out ten of its wcll-hnown figures in the social life of the capital; Thomas 
Croxton, of Tappahannock, attorney for the Commonwealth 1852, will be 



154 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

succeeded by T. H. B. Brown, of Accomack; Henry Libbey, of Old Point 
Comfort, ex-presiding justice of his county, will be followed by George E. 
Bowden, of Norfolk; George D. Wise, of Richmond, captain in the Confed. 
erate army and States Attorney, is one of those who will remain; James D. 
Brady, of Petersburg, a nat.ve of Virginia, who rose from private to colonel 
in the New York volunteers, during the rebellion, and returning to Virginia 
became clerk of the courts of Portsmouth, his native county, will be sue. 
ceeded by W. E. Gaines, of Burkeville; George C. Cabell, of Danville, an 
officer of the Confederacy, twice wounded, will be succeeded by John R. 
Brown, of Martinsville; John Warwick Daniel, of Lynchburg, United States 
Senator-elect, will be succeeded by Samuel G. Hopkins, of Lynchburg, an 
Independent in politics; Charles Triplet O'Ferrall, of Harrisonburg, who 
rose from private to colonel, and at the surrender was in command of all the 
Confederate cavalry in the Shenandoah valley, has been continued. John S. 
Barbour, of Alexandria, for twenty-nine years railroad president, will be fol- 
lowed by W. H. F. Lee, of Burke's station; Connally F. Trigg, of Abingdon, 
State's Atto»-ney for his county, will be replaced by H. C. Bowen, of Taze- 
well C. H. ; and John Randolph Tucker, of Lexington, Attorney General of 
Virginia, Professor of Equity and Public Law at Washington and Lee Uni- 
versity, a member of six Congresses, chairman of the judiciary committee and 
a man of legal erudition and an ancient and distinguished family, being a 
nephew of John Randolph, of Roanoke, will be succeeded by Jacob Yost, of 
Staunton, an active Virginia Republican. 

The ladies of the Virginia delegation were well represented in Mrs. Tucker 
and Mrs. O'Ferrall. 

Mrs. Randolph Tucker, one of the most charming and well-preserved of the 
elderly married ladies, as a young lady was Laura Holmes Powell, a noted 
beauty of Loudoun county, Virginia, daughter of Colonel Humphrey Brooke 
Powell, and great grand-daughter of Levin Powell, a colonel of the revolu- 
tion, a Representative in the first Congresses, and a Federalist, who cast the 
only vote from Virginia for John Adams for President. Her father was Major 
Burr Powell, a lawyer and large land owner. Her unmarried daughter is 
Miss Laura Randolph Tucker, a petite brunette in her twenties, educated at 
Richmond and Winchester, and very bright. She converses in French with 
the fluency and charm of a Parisian belle. The eldest daughter, Evaline 
Hunter Tucker, is Mrs. Wilmer H. Shields, wife of a large cotton planter of 
Concordia parish, Louisiana. The second daughter is Anne Holmes Tucker, 
now Mrs. Dr. William P. Maguire, of Winchester. Dr. Maguire is a brother 
of Dr. Hunter Maguire, "Stonewall " Jackson's Medical Director. The third 
daughter is Virginia Brooke Tucker, wife of the well-known civil engineer. 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 1 55 

John Carmichael, of Georgia. Another is Mrs. John L. Logan, wife of a 
New York lawyer. The only son is Henry St. George Tucker, a prominent 
lawyer of Staunton, Virginia, who married Henrietta Preston Johnston, a 
grand daughter of General Albert Sidney Johnston, who was killed at the bat- 
tle of Shiloh. 

Mrs. O'Ferrall, another very charming lady, was Jennie Wickliffe Kniglit, 
a native of Nottaway county, Virginia, daughter of Colonel William C. Knight, 
a grand nephew of George Walton, of Virginia, signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. Among her guests was Mi.ss IJettie Bland Knight, cousin of 
Mrs. O'Ferrall, and daughter of Captain John H. Knight, of Farmville, Vir- 
ginia. 

The North Carolina representation in congressional and social circles will 
have many new faces. Thomas Gregory Skinner, of Hertford, who served 
in two Congresses, will be succeeded by Lewis E. Latham, of Greenville; 
James E. O'Hara, of Enfield, a popular State legislator, by F. M. Simmons, of 
New Berne ; Wharton J. Green, of Fayetteville, an active politician, State 
and National, l>y C. W. McClammy, of Burgaw ; William Ruffin Cox, of 
Raleigh, who commanded a Confederate division in the last charges at Appo 
matox, judge and legislator, by John Nichols Ind, of Raleigh ; James Wesley 
Reed, of Wentworth, lawyer, farmer and county treasurer, by John M. Brow- 
er, of Mount Airy, and Risden T. Bennett, of Wadesborough, who rose from 
private to colonel in the Confederate service, by Alfred Rowland, cf Lumber- 
ton. The three representatives who will continue in the Fiftieth Congress, 
are John Steele Henderson, of Salisbury, one of three commissioners to 
codify the State laws; W. H. H. Cowles, of Wilkesborough, member of the 
Democratic State Committee for eight years, and Thomas Dillard Johnston, 
of Asheville, who received three desperate wounds in the Confederate ranks 
at Malvern Hill, assemblyman, and State legislator. 

The ladies of the delegation, Mrs. .Skinner, Mrs, O'Hara, Mrs. Steele, and 
daughter, Mrs. Cowles, and Mrs. Johnston, made an interesting representa- 
tion of the social life of the " Old North State." 

South Carolina cf)ntributes seven to the personnel of the House. Samuel 
Diijble, of Orangeburg, State legislator; George D Tillman, of Edgetickl, 
cottf)n planter, and politician; I). Wyatt Aiken, of Cokesburg, member of the 
executive committee of the National Grange for fourteen years, who will be 
succeeded by James S. Cothran, of Aijbeville C. H.; William Hayne Perry, 
of (ireenville, a State legislator ; John J. Hem])hiil, of Chester, a lawyer of abil- 
ity ; George W. Dorgan, of Darlington, lawyer and jiolitician, and Robert 
Smalls, of Beaufort. Mr. Smalls was born and raised a slave, self-educated, 
served in the Atlantic blockading squadron, from pilot to captain, was briga- 



156 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

dier general of State militia, and delegate to National Republican conventions 
since 1872. He will be succeeded by William Elliot, of Beaufort. 

Georgia comes forward congressionally and socially with Thomas M. Nor- 
wood, of Savannah, United States Senator from 1S71-7; Henry G. Turner, of 
Quitman, who entered in the Forty-seventh Congress; Charles Frederick 
Crisp, of Americus, solicitor general and judge; Henry R. Harris, of Green- 
ville, member of the Georgia convention of 1861, who will be followed by 
Thomas M. Grimes, of Columbus ; Nathaniel J. Hammond, of Atlanta, solic- 
etor general and attorney general, succeeded by John D. Stewart, of Griffin; 
James H. Blount, of Macon, who entered with the Forty-third Congress; 
Judson C. Clements, of La Fayette, former State Senator ; Seaborn Reese, of 
Sparta, who succeeded A. H. Stephens, upon his election as Governor, to be 
followed by Henry H. Carlton, of Athens ; Allen D. Candler, of Gainesville 
manufacturer, planter, and State legislator, and George T. Barnes, of Augusta, 
member of the National Democratic Committee. 

Mrs. Blount, an interesting lady in society, was Eugenia Wylie, daughter 
of a prominent physician, of Macon. Her mother was si.ster of Judge Clop- 
ton, of the supreme bench of Alabama. Her daughter Eugenia D. Blount 
is at school. Miss May Bacon was Mrs. Blount's guest. The other ladies 
in society during the season were Mrs. Clements, Mrs Barnes, and a daugh- 
ter of Representative Crisp. 

The two Representatives from Florida, Robert H. M. Davidson, of Quincy, 
who enters his sixth Congress with the Fiftieth, and Charles Dougherty, of 
Port Orange, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, are well 
known in Washington public and social life. 

The State of Alabama is an important factor in legislation, and presents an 
interesting figure in social affairs. The gentlemen who represent the grow- 
ing Commonwealth congressionally, are James Taylor Jones, of Dempolis, 
a State Senator; Hillery A. Herbert, of Montgomery, disabled in command 
of a Confederate regiment in the battle of the Wilderness, and chairman of 
the Committee on Naval Affairs ; William C. Gates, of Abbeville, who lost an 
arm in front of Richmond; Alexander C. Davidson, of Uniontown, cotton 
planter ; Thomas William Sadler, of Prattville, planter, who will be succeed- 
ed by James E. Cobb, of Tuskegee; John Mason Morton, of Tuscaloosa, pro- 
fessor of equity jurisprudence in the University of Alabama, who will be suc- 
ceeded by John H. Bankhead, of Fayette C. H.; William Henry Forney, of 
Jacksonville, a distinguished officer in the Confederate service, from captain 
to brigadier general, and who surrendered at Appomattox, and Joseph Wheel- 
er, of Wheeler, a distinguished cavalry corps commander of the Confederacy 
in the west. 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. 157 

The social life of Representative Herbert during the season was made pe- 
culiarly interesting by the debut of his eldest daughter, Miss Lela Herbert. 
Her younger sister, Ella H. Herbert, who will finish her education during 
the present year, will make her debut the coming season. Both young ladies 
are very pretty, accomplished, highly educated, and will be among the belles 
in future social gayeties. Their mother, who died in 1885, was a lady 
of remarkable force. Before her marriage she was Miss Ella Smith, of Selma, 
Alabama, daughter of Washington M. Smith, late president of the Bank of 
Selma. Mrs. Herbert was vice-regent for Alabama of the Ladies' Mount 
Vernon Association. Through her exertions the hall of the mansion was as- 
signed to Alabama, and money was raised to restore it as it appeared in the 
life of Washington. Among the guests of the Misses Herbert was Miss Ida 
Smith, of Selma, a young lady of many attractions. 

Mrs. Oates, another of tlie popular ladies of tlie Representatives circle, was 
Miss Sallie Toney. She is young and beautiful. Slie entertained among her 
guests her sisters, Mrs. Carrie H. Bradford, and Misses Ida and Clara Toney, 
ladies of elegant manners and many accomplishments, who reside at their 
family seat, Roseland, near Eufaula, Alabama. They are well-known in 
Washington society and very popular. 

Mrs. Wheeler, also a great favorite, was Miss EUa Jones. She was one of 
the prettiest young ladies in Alabama. Her mother was daughter of Governor 
Early, of Georgia, who was in one of the first Congresses. He was chair- 
man of the committee which presented articles of impeachment against Judge 
Chase. The Misses Wheeler, Lizzie and Anne, are great favorites in society. 
Both are young, pretty, and gifted. The youngest daughter, Julia, is still at 
school. 

The other ladies of the delegation were Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Davidson 
and daughter. 

The Mississippi Representatives are John M. Allen, of Tupelo, State dis- 
trict attorney; James Bright Morgan, of Hernando, Grand Master of Masons 
of his State; Thomas Clendinen Catcliings, of Vicksburg, former attorney- 
general of his State; F. G. Barry, of West Point, formerly member of the 
State Senate; Otho R. Singleton, one of the oldest members of the House, 
who having served in three Congresses before the rebellion, withdrew with 
his State, served 1861-5 in the Confederate Congress, and again 1875-87 in 
the Congress of the United States, who will be succeeded by C. L. Anderson, 
of Kosciusko; Henry S. Van Elton, of Hoodville, a native of Ohio, and 
State's attorney before the war, wlio will be followed liy Thomas R. Stockdale, 
of Summit; and Ethclbert Barksdale, of Jackson, in the Congress of the Con. 
fcderacy, and prominent in State politics in 1850, who will be succeeded by 
Charles E. Hooker, of [ackson. 



158 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The delta State of Louisiana has been ably represented in the lower House 
in Louis St. Martin, cf New Orleans, a member of the Thirty-second Con- 
gress 1851-3, who will be followed by Theodore S, Wilkinson; and Nathaniel 
Dick Wallace, of New Orleans, president of the produce exchange, who will 
be succeeded by Matthew D. Lagan, of New Orleans; Edward J. Gay, o' 
Plaquemine, first president of the Louisiana sugar exchange; Newton Grain 
Blanchard, of Shreveport, one of the active politicians of tae "Pelican"' 
State; J. Floyd King, of Vidalia, colonel of artillery in the Confederate ser- 
vice, who will be succeeded by Cherubusco Newton, of Bastrop; and Alfred 
Briggs Irion, of Marks ville, judge of the circuit court of appeals, who wiU 
have Edward W. Rol^ertson, of Baton Rouge, as his successor. 

The vast State of Texas furnishes some of the active men of the House, 
among them Charles Stewart, of Houston, a prominent lawyer; John H_ 
Reagan, of Palestine, who settled in the Republic of Texas, and rendered dis- 
tinguished service in his State, who has been changed to the Senatorial circle; 
James H. Jones, of Henderson, with C. B. Kilgore, of Mills Point, as his 
successor; David B. Culberson, of Jefferson, who has been elected to seven 
Congresses; James W. Throckmorton, of McKenney, who voted against se- 
cession, and Governor after the rebeliion, who has Silas Hare, of Sherman, 
as his successor; Olin W^ellborn, of Dallas, who will be succeeded by Joseph 
Abott, of Hillsborough; W. H. Grain, of Cuero, an active legislator; James 
Francis Miller, of Gonzales, banker end planter, who will be followed by L_ 
W'. Moore, of La Grange; Roger Q. Mills, of Corsicana, elected to eight 
Congresses and member of the Committee on Ways and Means; Joseph D. 
Sayres, of Bastrop, former lieutenant-governor; and Samuel W. T. Lanham, 
of Weatlierford, district Stale attorney general. 

Among the ladies of the delegation were Mrs. Culberson and daughter, 
Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Sayers, Mrs. Lanham, and Mrs. Reagan and daughter. 

The State of Arkansas sends her entire delegation back to the Fiftieth Con- 
gress. Their names already familiar to Congressional and social life are 
Poindexter Dunn, of Forest City, elected to fi\'e Congresses and one of the 
active members of the Democratic side ; Clifton R. Breckenridge, of Pine 
Bluff, cotton planter, member of the Committee on Ways and Means, and 
member of the celebrated family of that name; Thomas C. McRea, of Pres- 
cott, a gentleman of large legal experience; John Henry Rogers, of Fort 
Smith, a prominent attorney, and Samuel W. Peel, of Bentonville, district 
prosecuting attorney. 

Mrs. Poindexter Dunn is one of the best known of the ladies of the South, 
and lias figured actively in several important social enterprises for charitable 
work. Mrs. Breckenridge and Mrs. Rogers were also favorably known so- 
cially. 



THE SOUTHERN' REPRESENATIVES. 1 59 

The progiessive State of Missouri, witli a larger delegation in the House 
than any other from the South, is not only strong as to numbers, but as well 
as to ability and social influence. She i^esents in her list the names of Wil- 
liam Henry Hatch, of Hannibal, assistant commissioner of exchange of pris- 
oners under the cartel till the close of the war; John BlackwcU Hale, of Car- 

rolton, colonel of Missouri militia in the United States service, in the late war 

f 
who will be followed by Charles H. Mansur, of Chillicothe; Alexander 

Monroe Dockery, of Gallatin, one of the leaders in Missouri Democratic pol- 
itics; James Nelson Burns, of St. Joseph, former judge of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas; William Warner, of Kansas City, circuit attorney, and mayor; 
John T. Heard, of Sedolia, prosecuting attorney f jr the fund commissioners 
of his State; John E. Mutton of Mexico, who entered in the Forty-ninth Con- 
gress ; John J. O'Xeill, of St. Louis, influential in municipal. State, and Na- 
tional politics; John Milton Glover, of St. Louis, a leading lawyer; Martin 
Linn Clardy, of Farmington, elected to five Congresses, and one of the most 
active members of that body ; Richard Parks Bland, of Lebanon, elected to 
eight Congresses; William J. Stone, of Nevada, county prosecuting attorney, 
and one of the youngest members of the House; William II. Wade, of Spring- 
field, farmer and State legislator, and William Dawson, of New Madrid, 
who will be succeeded by James P. W^alker, of Dexter City. 

The ladies present during the season were Mrs. Hatch and daughter, Mrs. 
Dockery, Mrs. Heard, Mrs. Clardy, Mrs. Stone, and Mrs. Bland. 

Among the most brilliant events in the social world at the capital during 
the season was the marriage of Representative Grover, to one of the daughters 
of Mrs. Patten, the wealthy widow of a Navada miner. 

Among the strongmen in public and social life are the Tennessee Repre- 
sentatives, Augustus H. Pettiljone, of Greenville, district attorney-general, 
whose successor will be Roderick R. Butler, of Mountain City, known in 
former Congresses; Leonidas C. Houck, of Knoxville, member of the loyal 
East Tennessee convention, iS6i, who served in the Union forces of the State, 
and leader in Republican politics; John Randolph Neal, of Rhea Springs, a 
State legislator and Democratic politician; Benton McMillan, of Carthaije, 
special circuit judge; James D. Richardson, of Murfreesboro, former speaker 
of the State House of Rcpresentc'.ives; Andrew J. Calwell, of Nashville, for 
eight years district attorney-general, who will be succeeded by Joseph E. 
Washington, of Cedar Hill; John G. Ballentine, of Pulaski, to be followed 
by ex-United States Senator Washington C. Whitthorne, of Columbia; John 
May Taylor, of Lexington, attorney-general of the eleventh circuit, whose 
successor is Benjamin A. Enloe, of Jacks )n; Presley T. Glass, of Ripley, 
farmer, merchant, and legislator, of a revolutionary family of distinction; 



l6o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and Zachary Taylor, of Covington, former State Senator, who will be succeed- 
ed by James Phelan, of Memphis. 

Among the ladies of the delegation, Mrs. Glass, an attractive and intel- 
lectual woman, is favorably known in society. She was Miss Susan Taylor 
Barber, daughter of Dr. A. J. Barber, a distinguished physician of Browns- 
ville, Tennessee. Her daughter, Ada Pauline, is the wife of W. P. H. But- 
ler, of Flippin, Tennessee, son of a Baptist minister. She forms part of her 
father's household during the season, and is accomplished and attractive. H. 
D. Glass, the leading merchant of Ripley, son of the Representative, visits 
Washington part of the season. 

Mrs. Houck, wlio was Miss Bellar, a native of Canada, is a niece, on her 
mother's side, of General Goldie, of the English army. The daughter of a 
former wife, Miss Annie Houck, is at school. The Representative's sons, 
J. C. Houck and Lincoln C. Houck, lawyers of Knoxville, are well known 
in Washington. The former, a prominent politician, is secretary of the State 
Republican and chairman of his county committee. Mrs. Taylor was Miss 
Ophelia Herring, of Tipton county, Tennessee. The two daughters of Repre- 
sentative Richardson were also very popular in a large circle. 

Kentucky presents another strong front in her legislative and social tela, 
tions in William Johnson Stone, of Kuttawa, speaker of the Kentucky House, 
Polk Laffoon, of Madisonville, teacher, lawyer, county attorney; John E. 
Halsell, of Bowling Green, county attorney and circuit judge, who will be 
followed by W. Godfrey Hunter, of Burkesville; Thomas A. Robertson, of 
Elizabethtown, Commonwealth attorney, whose successor is A. B. Mont- 
gomery, of Elizabethtown; Albert A. S. Willis, of Louisville, an active p<jli- 
tician and lawyer, who will be succeeded by Asher G. Caruth; John G. Carlisle, 
of Covington, who honors his State in the Speaker's chair; William C. P. 
Breckinridge, of Lexington, a prominent lawyer, nephew of Jolin C. Breck- 
inridge ; James B McCreary, of Richmond, Governor of Kentucky 1875-g; 
William Henry Wadsvorlh, of Maysville, former United States commissioner 
on claims against Mexico, who will be succeeded by George M. Thomas, of 
Owingsville; William Preston Taulbee, of Saylersville, one of the youngest 
men of the House; Frank L. Woodford, of Columbia, adjutant-general of 
Kentucky, who will be succeeded by H. F. Finley, of Williamsburg. 

The ladles of the delegation present some of the most prominent figures in 
official social life. Mrs. Carlisle, one of the leaders of society, is the wife of 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Forty-eighth and Forty- 
ninth Congresses. Mrs. McCreary, who was Miss Kate Hughes, born near 
Lexington, Kentucky, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent 
families of the State, was not only an agreeable member of the southern circle 



THE SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES. l6l 

of ladies, but her guests. Miss Coralie Walker, of Richmond, Kenlucky, a 
beautiful and accomplished lady, and Miss Fannie Lyon, of Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, very handsome, added to the social attractions of the Representative's 
household. Mrs. Breckenridge, who was Miss DeShay, Mrs. Willis, Mrs. 
Wadsworth, and daughter, and Mrs. Taulbee, filled out this grou[) of beauti- 
ful daughters of Kentucky. 

The State of West \'irginia contributes lour Representatives to the roll of 
the House, who take a prominent part in its social life. Nathan Groff, jr , of 
Clarksburg, is well known as United States attorney for his State, and Secre- 
tary of the Xavy at the close of the Hayes administration; William L. Wil- 
son, of Charlestown, was president of the West Virginia University; Charles 
Philip Snyder, of Charlestown, was former prosecuting attorney, and Eus- 
tace Gibson, of Huntingdon, Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1880, who 
will be succeeded by Charles E. Hogg, of Point Pleasant. 

The ladies ot the delegation present during the season were Mrs. Goff and 
Mrs. Gibson, both young and attractive. 

Entitled to seats upon the floor with the privilege of speaking ui)on meas- 
ures relating to their own constituencies, but without the right to vote, are 
eight Territorial Delegates, representing nezrly a million square miles of pub- 
lic domain, and about a half million of people. Those who occupy this 
quasi-representative character, are gentlemen of experience, but are not enti- 
tled to the official or social prerogatives of Representatives. In the general 
order of precedence, they would naturally bear the relation to a statutory offi- 
cial that an assistant does to the chief of an executive department. 

In the list are Curtis C. Bean, of Prescott, Arizona, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, legislator in Tennessee and Arizona, who will be succeeded by Marcus 
A. Smith, of Tombstone; Oscar Sherman Gifford, of Canton, Dakota, a na- 
tive of New York, and member of tlie Constitutional Convention of the Terri- 
tory, 1883; John Hailey, of Boise City, Idaho, a native of Tennessee, far- 
mer, and miner, who settled there a year before the territory was constituted, 
who will be succeeded by Fred. S. Dubois, of Blackfoot ; Joseph Kemp 
Toole, of Helena, Montana, a Missourian, judge, legislator, president of 
council, and member of the Constitutional Convention of th.e Territory; Anto- 
nio Joseph, of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, native of the Territory, merchant, 
judge, and legislator ; John T. Caine, of Salt Lake City, Utah, a native of tiie 
Isle of Man, England, who crossed the plains in 1S52, was editor of the SaU 
Lake Herald, and member of the Convention for the admission of the Terri- 
tory as a State ; Charles Stewart Voorhees, of Colfax, Washington, son of 
United States .Senator Voorhees of Indiana, county prosecuting attorney 1882; 
II 



l62 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

and Joseph M. Carey, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, a native of Delaware, asso- 
ciate justice of the Supreme Court, and three times mayor of Cheyenne. 

The ladies also formed an interesting group. Among them Mrs. Bean and 
three daughters, Mrs, GifTord, Mrs. Joseph, Mrs. Caine, and Mrs. Carey. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Army ix Society. 

An epitome of martial valor and fashion— the lieutenant gen- 
eral AND HIS MILITARY FAMILY — THEIR LADIES — THE OFFICERS OF THE 
STAFF DEPARTMENTS AND LADIES — THE GARRISON OF WASIHNGTON AND 
ITS SOCIAL LIFE. 

(TrrNDER the provisions of the Constitution of the United States., the Presi- 



C.II.J dent is Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. 
-C^ The standing military establishment is, therefore, a constitutional part 
of the Executive Department of the government. 

The army circle at the seat of government embraces the Commanding Gen- 
eral and his military family, the officers of the staff departments on duty at the 
War Office, the officers of the garrison of the capital, retired officers and fami- 
lies of officers who make their residence at Washington. With their ladies 
they constitute a brilliant feature on ceremonial or social occasions. In all 
state pageants, as inaugurations, the army is a conspicuous object in the dis- 
play. The President during the gay season recognizes its high importance by 
giving a state reception in its honor with the Navy. This occasion ranks with 
the receptions to the Diplomatic Corps as the most attractive in the social 
events of the Executive Mansion. Generals in the gorgeous trappings of 
military command; staff officers in the uniform of their rank and duty; officers 
of foot, horse and artillery with their white, yellow and red-plumed helmets 
and heavy accoutrements form a brilliant contrast with the somber attire of 
statesmen, savants and citizens, and harmonize in the splendor of contrasting 
colors with the elegant toilettes of the ladies. The general of the army in the 
scale of dignities would rank naturally after the constitutional officers, but in 
an arrangement of the three grand divisions of the government would form 
part of the suite of the President, taking rank next after a member of the 
caljinel, the theory of the Constitution placing the civil above the military. The 
Secrelay of War, however, is purely an administrative officer/ The General 
executes his orders simply as the representative of the President, by whose 
direction as Commander-in-Chief all orders are given and military operations 
are conducted. 



THE ARMV IN SOCIETY. 163 

One of the most interesting figures in the social hfe at the capital is the Lieu- 
tenant General. With Grant and Sherman, IMiilip H.Sheridan completes the 
triumvirate of American soldiers who, beginning at the humblest grade, 
marched forward, the glory of their country, to the place of supreme com- 
mand. Grant has joined the bivouac of the dead upon the fields of eternal 
glory. The stern old warrior, Sherman, in retirement, awaits the last roll- 
call, a grand reminiscence of many of the noblest achievements of the bitter 
struggle. Sheridan, on the shady side of a half century, begins to show the 
wear of camp and battle. His sobriquet among his devoted soldiers, " Little 
Phil," indicates the under average of his stature, as the great Napoleon for 
the same reason was called the " Little Corporal." The American hero has 
the look of grim-visaged war. The muscularity and depth of expression 
which rests upon his features is the index to his character as a man or a sol- 
dier. Whether fighting redskins in the valley of the Columbia in the fifties, 
or, ten years later, crowning war with victory at Appomattox, we find him 
always the invincible leader. 

When the Second Michigan Cavalry, in the spring of 1862, in search of a 
commander, had the "little" captain of the Thirteenth Infantry sent them, 
there was much the feeling which existed among the French generals towards 
the "Little Corporal " when he appeared to take command of the army of 
Italy. His maiden fight at Booneville, Miss., five weeks later, with his Mich- 
igan troopers and a few regiments against a vastly superior force of the enemy, 
made Sheridan a brigadier, and Murfreesboro, same year, a major general of 
volunteers. His defeat of Early, at Opequan, and Fisher's Hill, in the fall of 
1864. made him a brigadier, and his third defeat of Early, a few weeks later, 
a major general of regulars. When Grant became President, and Sherman 
was advanced to general, Sheridan followed in the line. When Sherman 
passes away, so disappears the rank of General. So with Sheridan. When 
he crosses the pontoon of death, so too dies the rank of Lieutenant General 
to await resurrection as a crowning reward of tlie hero of some future conflict 
of arms. It was one of the disappointments of Sheridan's leadership of an 
army that the French support of the unfortunate Maximilian in Mexico was 
so summarily withdrawn. With his trained batallions in serried ranks faced 
on the Rio Grande, he awaited but the word of his President to lead forward 
to Mexico, and plant the flags of the two Republics upon the battlements of 
Chapultepcc in place of the standard of the French Empire. The humility of 
his origin, and the preeminence of his fame demonstrate the grandeur of the 
martial genius of Sheridan. When his conquering sword fell upon the ranks 
of the enemy, the grateful people looked in vain for antecedent deeds of war. 
Whether born upon the soil of Krin, or upon the liigh seas, was long a mys- 



164 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

tery, until, by his own authority, he claimed America as the land of his na- 
tivity. 

At his home, or his headquarters, Sheridan is most gentle and courtly in 
his manners, but bluff and honest, and convincing in conversation. With his 
officers he is composed and retiring. His word is command. In battle he 
was a host. His presence oft turned the tide of war, and restored confidence 
and determination to the shattered ranks of wavering battalions. In social 
life he is nervous, restless, often agitated and always ill at ease, as if the 
paths of peace were irksome. He blushes in the presence of ladies like a 
maiden in her teens, such is his inner life of diffidence and retiring worth. 

The Lieutenant General lives in a style commensurate with his high rank 
in a fashionable part of the city. His house, presided over by his beautiful 
and fascinating wife, formerly Irene Rucker, daughter of General Rucker, at 
one time Quartermaster General of the Army, is open to society during the 
season, and is the center of attraction of the most fashionable society people of 
the capital. Mrs. Sheridan, who is petite, and very pretty, is very popular. 
She is a much sought guest in the most prominent social events, and is the 
leading spirit of charitable enterprises under the patronage of society ladies. 

In the military family of the Lieutenant General, Lieutenant Colonel Mi- 
chael V. Sheridan fills the place of Military Secretary. He began his martial 
career as a volunteer aide when his distinguished brother won his first " star " 
at Booneville, and won for himself his first commission. As a second lieuten- 
ant of Missouri volunteers, he displayed his bravery as a soldier in the battles 
of Chickmaugua, Chattanooga, and Missionary Ridge. The battles of the 
Wilderness and the Valley of the Shenandoah found him serving on the staff 
of his brother. He has since been his aid-de-camp and companion. Mrs. 
Sheridan was Mary Rhey, of Carlisle, whose father, John S. Rhey, a lawyer 
of prominence, was once Speaker of the House of Representatives of Penn- 
sylvania. Her mother was sister to General Robert Macfeely, Commissary 
General of the army. 

Lieutenant Colonel Sanford C. Kellogg, aide-de-camp, captain Fifth U. S. 
Cavalry, a nephew of Mrs. General George H. Thomas, entered the service 
as a private in the Thirty-seventh regiment New York National Guards. He 
afterwards served on the staffof General Thomas, and repeatedly distinguished 
himself in the celeTjrated battles of that great commander. Since the war he 
has been equally distinguished for service on the frontier. Mrs. Kellogg, a 
very attractive member of society, was Mirs Steele, of Louisville, Kentucky. 
Several of Mrs. Kellogg's nieces have visited her since she came to Washing- 
ton, including the Misses Pettit and Tillman, of Louisville, Kentucky, who 
were among the belles of the season. 



THE ARiMY IN SOCIETY. 165 

Lieutenant Colonel Stanhope E. Blunt, aide-de-camp, captain ordnance de- 
partment, completes the military family at headquarters. He is a son of CoL 
Charles E. Blunt, corps of engineers, U. S. A., and grandson of Major Thorn, 
as S. English, United States marine corps. He entered the military acade- 
my in 1868, and graduated four years later, numljer three in his class. He 
served at Fort Douglass, Utah, afterwards as engineer in military reconnois- 
sances on the frontier, and later as instructor of mathematics, ordnance and 
gunnery at West Point. As chief ordnance officer and instructor of rifle prac- 
tice on the frontier, he had charge of competition for places on the rifle team 
of the division of the Missouri, and for several of the annual competitions of 
the department of Dakota. By order of the Secretary of War he prepared 
and published a work on "rifle and carbine firing," which is standard au- 
thority on that subject. The wife of Colonel Blunt was Fanny Smythe, one 
of the handsomest young ladies of Oswego, New York. Her father was 
Charles Smythe. one of the foremost citizens of that thriving lake port of the 
Empire State. Miss Smythe, of Oswego, her sister, was her guest during 
the season, and was a great favorite. 

In fashionable life at the seat of government the officers of the staff depart- 
ments of the army figure prominently. As a rule they are' men of distin- 
guished service and polite accomplishments. Their ladies are also among the 
most popular and attractive in higher circles. 

The first on the list in the precedence of rank in the arrangement of the 
staff is the adjutant-general of the army. This office is filled by Brigadier- 
General Richard C. Drum, a native of Pennsylvania. He entered the service 
when a mere boy, enlisting in the Pennsylvania volunteers for Mexico. Hav- 
ing repeatedly distinguished himself, before the close of that war he was 
advanced to lieutenant of infantry and then into the artillery. At the out- 
break of the rebellion he entered the adjutant general's department. He re- 
ceived brevets for bravery in Mexico, in the Sioux campaigns on the frontiers 
and in the late war. He is one of the most soldierly and best informed men 
in the army on military matters. 

Mrs. Drum was Levinia Morgan, daughter of Judge Thomas Gibbs Mor- 
gan. The Morgans were one of the historic families of Louisiana. Mrs. 
•Susan Drum Tarr, the general's eldest daughter, is the widow of a lawyer of 
Westmorelanrl county, Pensylvania. The younger daughter, Henrietta Mar- 
garet Drum, now Mrs. Hunt, is the widow of Lieutenant Hunt, United 
States navy. 

General John C. Kelton, of Pennsylvania, graduate of tlie United States 
military academy, 1S51. is an oftker of diNtinguished service, having been 
brevetted from lieutenant to brigadier general for duties in the field and at 
headquarters. 



1 66 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Mrs. Kelton, a beautiful lady of many social gifts, was Josephine Camp- 
bell, daughter of William S. Campbell, for twenty years consul of the United 
States at Amsterdam, Holland, where she was born, and Dresden, Germany, 
where she was married. 

Colonel Oliver D. Greene, a native of New York, entered the army from 
the military academy, 1854, and was breveted for gallantry in the first battle 
of Bull Run, Virginia, and at the battle of Antietam. Mrs. Greene is one 
of the favorites in society. She was Kate Rich, daughter of Colonel Hiram 
Rich, of Fort Leavenworth, one of the early pioneeers and cotemporary and 
friend of Generals Atchison, Stirling Price, Doniphan, and Hugh and 
Robert Campbell. Her daughter, Mamie, is the wife of Lieutenant Charles 
H. Bonesteel, 21st infantry, and daughter Kate is wife of Lieutenant Francis 
J. Kernan, of the same regiment. One of Mrs. Greene's brothers, Lucius 
L. Rich, was a classmate of General Greene at the military academy, went 
South in the war and fell mortally wounded at Shiloh. 

Colonel Henry C. Wood, of Maine, after service on the frontiers, distin- 
guished himself in the early campaigns of the war and was assigned to staff 
duty. Mrs. Wood was Mary A. Ferguson, of Bloomfield, Pennsylvania. 

Major Thomas Ward, of New York, a graduate of 1863, was breveted for 
gallant services at the battle of Cold Harbor. Mrs. Ward was Miss Kate 
Mott, of Oswego, New York, daughter of Thomas Mott, bank president and 
leading Republican politician and friend of President Arthur. 

Major Theodore Schwan, born in Germany, rose from the ranks and dis- 
tinguished himself in the line, in command of a company in the battles of the 
Wilderness to Cold Harbor, and in leading a regiment in action at Chapel 
House, Virginia. Mrs. Schwan is a daughter of the late Dr. John Steele, of 
St. Paul, of the Larcaster, Pennsylvania, family of that name. Her aunt was, 
the wife of General H. H. Sibley, Territorial Governor of Minnesota. Her 
uncle, Frank Steele, post trader at Fort Snelling in the early days, was well 
known in Washington social life. Among her guests was her sister. Miss 
Clara Steele, one of the most poj)ular ladies of Saint Paul. 

Captain Daniel M. Taylor, of the Ordnance Department, a brother of the 
late captain Franck Taylor, U. S. Artillery, on special duty in the Adjutant 
General's office with the Secretary of War, is a scholarly officer, and one of 
the courtly men of the army. Mrs. Taylor was Miss Anne Gardner, daugh- 
ter of John H. Gardner, of Sharon Springs, New York. Mrs. Franck Tay- 
lor, Captain Taylor's mother, widow of one of the early booksellers, and citizen 
of Washington, was very popular in the society of the old regime. She was 
Miss Virginia Simms — a ward of her uncle, Richard Wallach, and niece of 
Dpuglas Wallack, an early owner of the Evening Star, of Washington. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 167 

General Absalom Baird, Inspector General, a native of Pennsylvanii, and 
graduate of the class of 1S49, at the military academy, was notably distinguish- 
ed in the campaigns against Atlanta, and S.ivannah. He is one of tlie most 
agreeable officers m the army. He is a widower. His son William Baird is 
adjutant of the Sixth Cavalry. 

Major Henry Farnsworth, of New York, distinguished in Slieridan's cam- 
paign in the Shenandoah Valley, is one of the active officers in military or 
social affairs. 

Colonel Guido Norman Lieber, Acting Judge Advocate General, a native of 
South Carolina, appointed from New York into the infantry, served with dis- 
tinction in the Peninsula campaign in Virginia, and later in the department of 
the gulf. Mrs. Lieber, a very attractive woman, and much admirtd for her 
affability and kindliness of disposition, is a daughter of Colonel E. B. Alexan- 
der, a retired officer of the army. 

Major John \V. Clous, a native of Germany, raised from the ranks for gal- 
lantry in 1862, was brevettedfor services in the battle of Gettysburg, and was 
made Judge Advocate in 1886. Mrs. Clous was Miss Caroline Strickle, sister 
of the wife of D. W. Bickham, of the Dayton, (Ohio,) JoiDtial. Her father 
was captain and commissary on General Sherpian's staff. Mrs. Foos was her 
guest during the season. 

Brigadier General Samuel B. Holibard, Quartermaster General, who is a 
widower, entered the service from Connecticut, in the military academy class 
of 1S49. In the rebellion he served as corps and department quartermaster, 
and was frequently brevelted. He is the translator of General Jomini's 
"Treatise on Grand Military Operations." Miss A^nes Holibard, the gen- 
eral's accomplished daughter, is a great favorite in society. Mrs. Bartletf, the 
general's deceased wife's sister, presides over his household. 

Colonel John G. Chandler, of Massachusetts, who entered the army from 
the class of 1853, was division, corps and department quartermaster during 
the reliellion, and was in the battle of Shiloh, and other important engage- 
ments. 

Colonel Charles G. Sawtelle, of Massachusetts, of tlie class of 1854, bre- 
vetted for meritorious services, has held the post of chief quartermaster. Mrs. 
Sawtelle was Miss Monroe, of New York. Her father was a prominent 
broker, member of the firm of Le Grand Lockwood. 

Col. Richard N. Bachelder, Depot Quartermaster, a bachelor, entered the 
volunteer service, 1861, as quartermaster of the First New Hampshire Infan- 
try. He was brevetted up to a brigadier general for service in all the great 
campaigns of the army of the Potomac, and was chief quartermaster of that 
army during the fierce battles against Richmond and Petersburg. He was 



1 68 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

made captain in the same department United States Army, as a reward for 
distingaislied services. 

Colonel Benjamin C. Card, of Rhode Island, of the infantry, in 1861, was 
assistant chief quartermaster of the army of the Potomac, and was brevetted 
brigadier general for meritorious services. 

Mrs. Card, a lady of very pleasant manners, was Miss Hunter, sister of 
the wife of General J. A. Hardee, who was on duty with Secretary of War 
Stanton. She is also a sister of Mrs Colonel Rockwell, superintendent of 
public buildings and grounds, under Presidents Garfield and Arthur. Miss 
Edith Card and her sister, are beautiful young ladies, and very much liked in 
society. 

Major William B. Hughes entered from the military academy in 1856 and 
served through the early part of the war with distinction in the infantry, and 
entered the quartermaster's department in 1863. Mrs. Hughes was Miss 
Jones, a niece of Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont. Miss Hughes, her charming 
daughter, will make her entrance into society the coming season. Mrs. Jones, 
Mrs. Hughes' mother, is also a member of Major Hughes' family. 

Captain Charles H. Hoyt, in charge of the supply division first lieutenant 
Thirty-seventh New York Infantry in 1861, of -which he was the first quarter- 
master, was chief quartermaster of Hancock's division in the campaigns of the 
army of the Potomac, 1862 to 1S64, and entered the regular service as captain 
and quartermaster in 1867. Mrs. Hoyt, a very pleasant lady in society, is 
from Michigan. 

Captain John F. Rodgers is brother of admiral C. R, P. Rodgers, U. S. Navy. 
Mrs. Rodgers, who is very attractive in society, belongs to the distinguished 
Speed family of Louisville, Kentucky, and is a grand daughter of one of 
Abraham Lincoln's early friends and companions in Illinois. 

Brigadier General Robert Macfeeley, Commissary General of Subsistence, 
is one of the officers of the old army, having had the experience of frontier 
service, and was on active duty in his staff department, throughout the entire 
war of the Rebellion. He is a native of Carlisle, son of Colonel George 
McFee!ey, as the name was originally spelled, of the Regulars, who upon the 
outbreak of the war, 1S12, marched his regiment from Carlisle barracks across 
Pennsylvania and New York, to Black Rock, now the city of Buffalo, and was 
in command of Fort Niagara when bombarded by the British, November 12, 
i8i2. General Macfeeley was one of the old army friends of President Grant, 
and always welcome at the White House. Mrs, Macfeeley was Josephine 
Rochester Beatty, daughter of James Beatty, of Williamsport, Maryland, and 
niece of Eli Beatty, at one time president of the Hagerstown Bank. The 
family was one of historic importance in the Cumberland Valleys of Pennsyl- 
vania and Maryland. 



THE ARMV IN SOCIETY. 169 

Colonel Beekman DuBarry, a native of New Jersey, is one of the class of 
'49 at West Point. He entered the artillery, but was transferred to the staff, 
where he has since remained. He is the son of an early surgeon of the navy 
and brother of Joseph N. DuBarry, vice-president of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road Company. He is a grandson of William Duane, editor of the old Phila- 
delphia "Aitrora," adjutant general U. S. A. in the war of 1812, whose 
son, W. J. Duane, was Secretary of the Treasury in the Jackson cabinet. 
Because he would not remove the deposits, "Old Hickory" removed him. 
Mrs. DuBarry was Helen A. Bratt, of Albany, daughter of an officer of the 
army. Her fatlier, who was of the class of 1837, was classmate of Braxton 
Bragg, of Mexican, Adjutant General Townsend and General Joseph Hooker, 
of Union, and Jubal Early, of Confederate fame. Her daughter, Helen, is 
in her teens. 

Major Jeremiah H. Gilman, a native of Maine, and a graduate of West 
Point 1856, served with exceptional distinction on the frontier during the late 
war. He was second in command with Lieutenant Slemmer in the defense of 
Fort Pickens, Florida, January to May, 1861, against the insurgents, after 
Fort Barrancas and the navy-yard had been seized. Mrs. Gilman, who was 
Catherine Rogers, of Gardner, Maine, was in the garrison at Fort Barrancas 
at the time of the rebel attack. When Lieutenant Slemmer and Gilman with- 
drew from Fort Barrancas, with their small detachment, to avoid capture, and 
occupied Fort Pickens, Mrs. Slemmer and Mrs. Gilman took refuge on board 
the United States Shij) Supply, which shortly after sailed for New York to 
escape capture. Major Gilman has two sons. Lieutenant H. K. Gilman, U. 
S. marines, and Lieutenant E. R. Gilman, 5th U. S. Infantry. Miss Kate 
Gilman is yet in her teens. Miss Seyburn, who spent the season in Wash- 
ington, is a daughter of Captain T. D. Seyburn, of the volunteer navy, now 
a planter, and niece of Mrs. Gilman. 

Captain Wells Willard, depot commissary, who entered the service in the 
Massachusetts volunteers, and Mrs. Willard, a lady of fine literary gifts, are 
also interesting members of the army circle. 

Brigadier General John Moore, of Indiana Surgeon General, became assist- 
ant surgeon in 1853. In the war of the Rebellion he served as medical di- 
rector, and was twice brevetted for distinguished services. Mrs. Moore was 
Mary Green, of Boston, a very agreeable lady in society. In the season she 
is assisted by her daughter, Mrs. Thompson, wife of Captain W. A. Thomp- 
son, Sixth cavalry. 

Colonel Jedcdiah H. Baxter, of Vermont, chief medical purveyor, entered 
the volunteer service 1861, as surgeon of the Twelfth Massachusetts Infantry. 
He was brevetted for meritorious services, and was appointeil lieutenant colo- 



170 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

nel, assistant medical purveyor 1867, and chief in 1874. Mrs Baxter was Flor- 
ence Tryon, a descendant of the royal Governor of New York, and later col- 
onial governor of North Carolina, who disowned his son for his patriotic ser- 
vices on the side of the colonists against the mother country. 

Major Charles C. Byrne, of Maryland, attending surgeon of the Soldiers' 
Home, in charge of the field and general hospitals during the late war, and 
Mrs. Byrne, who is from New York, are very agreeable members of the army 
circle in society. 

Major Charles R. Greenleaf, assistant surgeon Fifth Ohio infantry, 1861, 
was specially distinguished in preparing plans for military hospitals during the 
Rebellion. He is a relative of the poet Longfellow. Mrs. Greenleaf was 
Georgiana De la Roche, daughter of Captain George F. De la Roche, of the 
old navy, and subsequently landscape architect of Oak Hill Cemetery, West 
Washington. A sister of Mrs. Greenleaf is wife of Major Francis II. Bates, 
U. S. army, retired. Another sister is wife of Captain William B. Johns, 
formerly of the army. Miss Edith Greenleaf, a very interesting young lady 
will enter society next season. 

Major John S. Billings, of Indiana, operating surgeon at the field hospitals 
of Chancellorville and Gettysburg, was acting medical inspector of the army 
of the Potomac during the campaigns against Richmond. Mrs. Billings was 
Kate Stevens, daughter of Representative Stevens, from Michigan. Her 
three daughters, two of them twins, are very pretty and very entertaining in 
society. A son, John S. Billings, Jr., is at college. 

Major Charles Stuart, assistant surgeon Sixty-third New York infantry, 
1862, entered the medical department in 1864. Mrs. Stuart is from New York, 
prominently connected, and very interesting. 

Major Robert M. O'Reilly, of Pennsylvania, attending surgeon, was medi- 
cal cadet under the medical director of the army of the Cumberland in the 
Atlanta campaign. Mrs. O'Reilly was Fanny Pardee, of Oswego, New York. 

Captain Washington Matthews, who entered the medical staff of the army 
in 1868, is one of the scientists at the medical museum. Mrs. Matthews is 
very attractive in society. 

Captain Philip F. Harvey, assistant to the attending surgeon, and Mrs. 
Harvey, are very popular in their social relations. 

Captain Frederick C. Ainsworlh, of Vermont, is in charge of the record and 
pension division of the Surgeon General's office, with a force of three hundred 
clerks. Mrs. Ainsworth was originally Miss Bacon, of Washington, the 
widow of Lieutenant Cranston, killed during the Modoc war. She is one of 
three very handsome sisters, the other two being Mrs. Colonel Martin, of the 
army, and Mrs. Colonel Haywood, of the marine corps. On account of 
their beauty they were knoA-n in the army as the three graces. 



THE AKMV IN SOCIETY. I7I 

Captain John O. Skinner, of Maryland, the disbursing officer of the Sur- 
geon General's office, who entered the medical service in 1874, ^""^l Mrs. 
Skinner are very entertaining in social intercourse. 

Brigadier General William B. Rochester, of New York, paymaster gen- 
eral, became attached to the staff as additional paymaster in 1861, and pay- 
master in 1867. Mrs. Rocliester was Miss Anna L. Martin, eldest daughter 
of Mr. H. II. Martin, a prominent citizen of Albany, New York. She is the 
niece of Generals Franklin Townsend and Frederick Townsend, of Albany, 
New York, tlie latter of whom was adjutant general of the State of New York, 
under Governor E. D. Morgan, and organized the first troops sent to the 
war. Also the niece of Colonel Wm. H. T. Walker, formerly of the U. S. 
army Mrs, Rochester has two daughters, Miss Annie T. and Miss Alice 
D. Rochester, the latter in her teens. 

Major Israel O. Dewey, of Vermont, who entered the staff in 1867 and, Mrs* 
Dewey and Miss Dewey are very popular members of the army social life. 

Major William F. Tucker, of Illinois, postmaster, was appointed to the staff 
in 1882. Mrs. Tucker was Mary Logan, the only daughter of the distin- 
guished soldier and statesmen, John A. Logan. Mrs. John A. Logan — tiie 
mother of Mrs. Tucker, is known throughout the :ountry, not only as one of 
most brilliant leaders of the higher social life of the capital, but one of the 
most admired of women throughout the country. 

The corps of United States Engineers is the professional branch of the mil- 
tary service, and its list of officers is made up as a rule, of the higliest gradu- 
ates of the military acidemy. 

Brigadier General James C. Duane, a native of New York, in charge of 
the engineer department, while in command of the engineer battalion perform- 
ed service in the operations against Ricnmond, for which he was brevetted. 
Mrs. Duana who was not in Washington during the season, is a daughter of 
Colonel Henry Brewerton, U. S. Engineers. 

General John G. Parke, a native of Pennsylvania, and graduate of the mil- 
itary academy, class of 1849, after a career of distinction in command, and on 
the staff, led the Ninth corps in the final campaign against Richmond, cul- 
minating in the surrender of the Confederate forces. Mrs. Parke, a lady of 
charming manners, and fine presence, was the widow of Captain Palmer, o( 
the engineers. Miss Emily Parke, a beautiful blnnd, tall and graceful, is a 
great favorite in the best circles. 

(Jolonel John M. Wilstm, Superintendent of Public Buildings and Grounds, 
one of the finest officers in the Cf)rps, also performs the ceremonial duly of 
presentation during the levees at the Executive Mansion. He is therefore 
include<l in the official family of the President. Mrs. Wilson, a most estima- 



172 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ble and popular lady, was Augusta B. Waller, of Washington, daughter of an 
officer in the General Post Office. Her gifted daughter will enter society in 
another year. Miss Waller, Mrs. Wilson's sister, is also one of the favorites 
in society, and has been a guest among the ladies at Mrs. Cleveland's lunch- 
eons. 

Colonel Peter C. Hains, engineer in charge of river and harbor improve- 
ments in front of Washington, a native of Pennsylvania, entered the artillery 
from West Point, but was transferred to the engineers, and performed distin- 
guished services in the defense of Washington, 1861, in the campaigns in 
Virginia and on the Mississippi, and later as chief engineer of the department 
of the Gulf. Mrs. Hains is one of the accomplished daughters of Rear Ad- 
miral Thornton A. Jenkins. 

Major Garrett J. Lydecker, in charge of the Washington aqueduct, and 
previously engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia, a native of 
New Jersey, entered the corps from the military academy in 1864, and was 
brevetted the year after for meritorious service at the closing siege of Peters- 
burg, Virginia. Mrs. Lydecker was Miss Hommedieu, of Detroit, a de- 
scendant of one of the early Canadian settlers. Her sister is the wife of 
Professor James Mercur, instructor of engineering at West Point. 

Major David P. Heap, engineer secretary to the light house board, who 
was born in Asia, entered the engineers from West Point as an appointment 
from Pennsylvania. He served with the engineer battalion in the Richmond 
campaign and siege of Petersburg, receiving a brevet for services. Mrs. 
Heap was Miss Beale, daughter of George N. Beale, of Washington. 

Major William Ludlow, ofNev/ i'ork. Engineer Commissioner of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, who entered the corps from the military academy in 1864, 
w-as brevetted for services in the defense of Altoona Pass and seige of Atlan- 
ta, and was assistant engineer with General Sherman's army on the march 
to the sea. Mrs. Ludlow, a very attractive lady, is a relative of Mrs. Gen- 
eral Hancock. She resided in St. Louis as a young lady. Her pretty daugh- 
ter is in her teens. 

Major Charles W. Raymond, a son of Professor Raymond, of Brooklyn, 
New York, formerly connected with the Polytecnic Institute, entered the 
corps from the military academy in 1865. In 1863, however, he was acting 
aid to General Couch, in Pennsylvania. He is a brother of R. W. Raymond, 
a scientist, and engineer of distinction. Mrs. Raymond is a daughter of Wil- 
liam Wise, at one time a merchant of Brooklyn, New York. 

Major James C. Post, a graduate of 1865, who has been in charge of im- 
provement of Rivers and Harbors, is a recent acquisition to the army circle 
at Washington. He is a bachelor. 



THE ARMY IX SOCIETY. 173 

Major Henry M. Adams, who is on duty in the office of the Secretary of 
War, entered the corps from the class of 1S56, and since has been on river 
and harbor duty. Mrs. Adams, a very agreeable lady, is a sister of Captain 
Edward Maguire, of the engineers. 

Captain George Montague Wheeler, who is on special duty with the geo- 
graphical survey, was appointed the first cadet from the territory of Colorado 
in 1S62, and entered the corps in 1866. He has been conspicuously identified 
with explorations on the frontiers, and is a member of numerous native and 
foreign scientific societies. Mrs. Wheeler was Miss Jimmie Blair, of the 
celebrated Washington family of Francis Blair, and is a daughter of James 
Blair, U. S. N. 

Captain Thomas Turtle, who entered the corps from the academy in 1867, 
is one of its most efficient officers. His survey of the battle-field of Getts- 
burg is regarded as a very superior piece of engineeringand artistic work. Mrs* 
Turtle was Virginia Lewis, daughter of the late Martin Lewis, a broker of 
Baltimore. He was a native of Copenhagan, and came to the United States 
as a young man. Miss Hilda Lewis, Mrs. Turtle's sister, is a very genial lady 

Captain Thomas W. Symons, Assistant to the Engineer Commissioner of 
the District of Columbia, entered the Engineers from the academy in 1874. 
He served with distinction in the Wheeler exploring expedition. Mrs. Sy- 
mons, a lady of fine social traits, is from Pennsylvania. 

Captain Eugene Griffin, Assistant to the Engineer Commissioner of the 
District of Columbia, a native of Maine, graduated in 1875, into the corps, 
and tendered valuable service in exploring expeditions. Mrs. Griffin, who 
was Alice Hancock, is a niece of General Hancock. A sister is the wife of 
Lieutenant Luther R. Hare, adjutant Seventh Cavalry. Another sister is 
wife of Mr. Merriam, of St. Paul, a politician of wealth and influence. The 
other ladies of thi.; family circle are Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Griffin's 
molher, and Miss Hancock her daugliler. 

• First Lieutenant Curtis McD. Townsend, on duty on the Washington 
aqueduct, entered the corps from the military academy in 1879. He is very 
popular in society. 

Brigadier General Stephen V. Ben^t, Chief of Ordnance, entered the ord- 
nance department from the military academy in 1849, and was on duty and in 
charge of various arsenals when raised to the command of his corps. He is 
one of the highest authorities on ordnance, and in personal intercourse is a 
man of courtly manners. Mrs. Ben^t was Laura Walker, daughter of a 
prominent planter of Kentucky, and one of the pioneer families. She is 
among the leading ladies in thi society of the capital. Her son, Lieutenant 
James Walker Ben^t, is in the ordnance department, and Lawrence Ben^t is 
connected with the great gunmakers, Hotchkiss & Co., of Paris. 



174 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

Captain Clarence E. Dutton, on special duty in the Geological Survey, is an 
authority on earthquakes and volcanoes. He was appointed into the corps 
from the Twenty-first Connecticut volunteers, after distinguished service with 
his regiment in the army of the Potomac. Mrs. Dutton is from Connecticut, 
Mi*5 Dutton recently married a New York gentleman. 

Captain Charles S. Smith, principal assistant to the chief of ordnance, a 
graduate of the class of 1866, a bachelor, is in great demand in society. 

Captain Rogers Birnie, Jr , of Maryland, entered the ordnance service in 
the academy diss of 1872, and has had extensive foundry duty. Mrs. Birnie 
is first cousm of Mrs. Blunt, wife of Colonel Blunt, aide to Lieutenant Gen- 
eral .Sheridan. 

Captain Valentine McNally, a native of Scotland, is thoroughly skilled in 
the administrative branch of the ordnance service. Mrs. McXally was Cathe- 
rine Elliott, daughter of the late Dr. Johnson Elliott, a prominent surgeon of 
Washington. She is a cousin of President Elliott of Harvard College, and is 
connected with the family of President John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, 
and tlie Johnsons of Maryland. 

Brigadier General Adolphus W. Greeley, chief signal ofificer, began his mili- 
tary service as private, corporal, and sergeant in theNineteenth Massachusetts 
volunteers, and was one ot the forlorn hope in the attack on Fredericksburg. 
He entered the U. S. infantry as lieutenant in l86^, and was captain of Fifth 
cavalry when raised to the post of chief signal officer. The latter honor was 
in reward for distinguished scientific services in conducting arctic researches. 
His miraculous rescue was one of the most thrilling events of the times. 
Mrs Greeley was Henrietta Nesmith, cousin of ex-U, S, Senator James Ne- 
smith, of Oregon, She vifas born in Switzerland while her parents were abroad. 
On her mother's side she is descended from the Gales and Rutgers, celebra- 
ted in colonial days in New York. She is a tall, graceful brunette and most 
cordial in social intercourse. 

Captain Francis B. Jones, of the quartermaster's department, on duty with 
the signal corps, entered the volunteer service in the One Hundred and For- 
ty-ninth, rose to lieutenant colonel of the Two Hundred and Fifteenth Penn- 
sylvania infantry, and went into the regular service in the Nineteenth infantry, 
and into the quartermasters's department in 1885. Mrs. Jones is a sister of 
the wife of Colonel Charles E. Compton, Fifth cavalry. Mrs. Jones' mother, 
Mrs. Little, was with her during the season. 

Lieutenant Henry IL C. Dunwoody, Fourth artillery, entered that regiment 
from the military acadamy in 1866, and has been indentified with the signal 
corps among its earliest officers. He is also one of the best authorities on 
meteorological subjects. Mrs. Dunwoody, a very attractive woman, is a 
daughter of the late Surgeon Mills, of the army. 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 1 75 

Lieutenant Richard E. Tiiompson, Sixth infantry, entered the service from 
the academy in 1S68. Mrs. Thompson is a daughter of ex-United Slates 
Senator Rice and niece of Edward Rice, of Saint Paul, Representative in the 
Fiftieth Congress. 

Lieutenant Robert Craig, who entered the Fourth .\rtillery from the mili- 
tary academy, is one of the oldest and most experienced officers in the signal 
corps, and was largely identified with its present organization. He is an offi- 
cer of fine social traits, and is descended from General Craig of the Revolu- 
tion. Mrs. Craig, a daughter of David Mahon, for many years one of the 
auditors of the treasury, belongs to one of the oldest and most distinguished 
families in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. She is very beautiful 
and well known, and popular in society. 

Lieutenant Thomas ^L Woodruff, Fifth Infantry, entered the service with 
the class of 1S71. He is well known in social and business circles, being the 
owner of considerable property in the fashionable West End. The ladies of 
his family, Mrs. Woodruff, Mrs. Sampson, her mother, and Miss Sampson, 
her sister, are very agreeable and entertaining. 

The Second Lieutenants of the corps, each of whom served a course of in- 
instruction in the ranks, and their ladies, during the season were James A. 
Swift, Mrs. and Miss Swift ; William D.Wright, Mrs. Wright, and Mrs. Jack- 
son ; Frank Greene, and Mrs. Greene, who is from Washington Territory; John 
C. Walsh, a very soldierly officer, Mrs. Walsh, and Miss Murphy; Fielder 
yi. ^L Beall, and Mrs. Beall; John P. Finley, IMrs. Finley, a niece of Gen- 
eral Berdan of sharpshooter's fame, and Miss Meloy ; Frederick R. Day; 
James Mitchell, and Mrs. Mitchell, and Frank W. Ellis, and Mrs. Ellis. 

Among the officers on special duty are Colonel Elwell S. Otis, Twentieth 
Lifantry, who entered the volunteers as captain. One Hundred and Fortieth 
Xew York infantry, 1S62, and was promoted into the United States army, 
1866, for distinguished services. He is a member of the Board on Revision 
and Condensation of the Regulations. Mrs. Otis is a daughter of Colonel 
Bowman, U. S. Engineers, and former superintendent of the U. S. military 
academy. 

Major James Biddle, Sixth cavalry, president of the Board on State Claims, 
from the T'enlh New York infantry, was appointed to the Fifteenth U. S. in- 
fantry and transferred to the cavalry, 1S70. Mrs. Biddle is a sister of Com- 
modore Harmony, .senior bureau officer of the navy department. Miss Bid- 
dle is a very interesting young lady. 

Captain John G. Bourke, Third cavalry, aid to General Crook in Arizona 
for a number of years, is one of the best informed officers in the army on In- 
dian matters, speaking several of their languages. He is also an autlior of 



176 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

repute on Indian ethnology, and under orders of the government prepared a 
work on the Indians. Mrs. Bourke is from Omaha, a very agreeable lady. 

Captain Wyllis Lyman, Fifth infantry in the War Records office, is a brother 
of the wife of Senator Edmunds Mrs. Lyman and her daughter Miss Lyman 
are very interesting in social life. 

Captain Douglas M. Scott, First infantiy, on recruiting service, is a nephew 
of Representative \V. R. Scott, of Pennsylvania, and son of the late Admiral 
Scott, U. S. N. Mrs. D. M. Scott who is from Buffalo, and Mrs. Gustavus H. 
Scot% the mother of Captain Scott, and widow of Rear Admiral Gustavus H. 
Scott, are well known in society. 

Captain Edward Hunter, First Cavalry, of the Board of State and Territo- 
rial Claims, entered the service from the military academy in 1866, Mrs. 
Hunter was Miss Hoff, daughter of the late Eugene HofF, U. S. A., and sis- 
ter of the present surgeon, John Van R. Hoff, U. S. A. 

First Lieutenant Thomas T. Knox, First cavalry, of the War Record office, 
entered the service from the military academy in 1867. 

First Lieutenant William P. Duval, in addition to his military duty during 
the last season, assisted Colonel Wilson in the ceremonial function of presenting 
guests at levees to the wife of the President, and therefore appears among the 
members of the President's official household. Mrs. Duval was Rose Green- 
how, named after her mother. Mrs. Greenhow was put in prison by order 
of Secretary Stanton, for her southern sympathies, and was subsequently sent 
south. She went to London and Paris, and while on her return, in attempt- 
ing to leave the blockade runner in a small boat, to land, was drowned in 
Wilmington harbor, North Carolina. Mrs. Duval had been placed in a con- 
vent by her mother, in Pans, where she was educated. 

First Lieutenant George B. Davis, Fifth Cavalry, former assistant Pro- 
fessor of Law at the U. S. military academy, and author of a recent work on 
international law, and Mrs. Davis, who is from Springfield, Mass., occupy a 
pleasant place, in the military circle. 

First Lieutenant Frank West, Sixth Cavalry, Recorder of the Board of 
State and Territorial Claims, entered the service from the military academy 
in 1872. Mrs. West is a very attractive woman in her home or social sur- 
roundings. 

The garrison of Washington consists of the officers and men of one light 
and five foot batteries of the Third United States artillery, stationed at Wash- 
ington barracks, commanding the approaches to the city by water from the 
Chesapeake bay and the Potomac river. The officers and their ladies in the 
social life of the capital make up a little circle of their own and contribute 
largely to the pleasures of the gay season. The "Mondays" of the ladies 



THE ARMY IN SOCIETY. 1 77 

of the garrison are among the most interesting events of the social routine of 
the capital. 

General Horatio Gates Gibson, colonel Third artillery, commanding tlie gar- 
rison, a native of Maryland, belongs to the Gibsons of Pennsylvania, and 
received his appointment from that State. His brother, John Gibson, is judge 
of the Nineteenth judicial district of Pennsylvania, and another brother is Com- 
mander William Gibson, of the U. S. navy, now retired. General Gibsoa 
served in Mexico, through the rebellion, and on the frontiers, receiving recog- 
nition for meritorious services, by brevet, from captain to brigadier general- 
Mrs. Gibson, the first lady of the garrison matrons, was widow of the son 
of the famous General Henry Atkinson of the war of 1812, and distinguished 
in the Black Hawk war as the captor of that noted aboriginal chieftain. As a 
young lady, Mrs. Gibson was Harriet Walker, daughter of Major Benjamin 
Walker, paymaster United States army, who as a boy took part in the expe- 
dition against Otter Creek, Canada, war of 1812, and served in Mexico. She 
was a great beauty as a young lady, and is now one of the most attractive 
ladies in social life. Her two daughters, Kitty and Agnes Gibson, are also 
very pretty, and possess many social gifts. Among their guests were Miss 
Florence Livingston, daughter of Colonel Livingston, Third artillery, stationed 
at Fort McHenry. 

The commodious quarters of the commandant afford ample accommodations 
for the drawing-rooms of his charming wife. She is usually assisted by one 
or all the ladies of the garrison. The garrison band adds to the attractions of 
these delightful occasions. When the other ladies of the garrison are not in 
the receiving party at the commandant's quarters, as a rule they are "at 
home" at their own quarters. The hours of the " Mondays " at the garrison 
are 3 to 6, p. m. It makes a pleasant diversion in the social gayety of the 
season to make "the tour" by attending the inspection and Marine Band 
concert at the Marine Barracks, 10 to 12, a m. ; visiting the Naval Arsenal 
and attending the drawing-rooms at the marine commandant's quarters and 
Naval Arsenal, 2 to 4, p. m., and finishing at the Washington barracks, 4 to 6, 
p. m., thence returning to the city. This is always regarded as one of the 
most delightful and entertaining episodes in the social routine of the fash- 
ionaV)!e season at the capital. 

The other officers and ladies composing the social circle of llie garrison 
during the season were Lieutenant Colonel E. C. Bainbridge, son of tiie dis- 
tinguished Captain Bainbridge, Fourth artillery. Mrs. Bainbridge was the 
daughter of one of the prominent French residents of New Orleans. Her 
daughter Marie is one of the most interesting young ladies in Washing- 
ton, and assists her mother in her receptions at her father's quarters in the 
12 



178 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

fine building directly opposite the commanding officer's quarters. Colonel 
Bainbridge having been assigned to Newport Barracks, Kentucky, has been 
relieved by Colonel Richard Lodor. Mrs. Lodor and Miss Lodor are agree- 
able acquisitions to the social circle of the garrison. 

Captain Lewis Smith, an Irishman by birth, rose from the ranks of the 
army, and is one of the most gallant members of the personnel of his grade. 
Mrs. Smith is also a native of Ireland. She has two daughters, the elder the 
■wife of Dr. Cunningham, of the army. The younger, Henrietta, wife of Lieu- 
tenant Ira A. Haynes, Third artillery, stationed at Fortress Monroe, was the 
bride of the regiment. Surgeon William D. Wolverton, a Quaker, and Mrs. 
Wolverton, with her two young daughters, and Assistant Surgeon Wilcox and 
wife, who was Miss Claia Brown, of Utica, New York, are also very interest- 
ing members of the garison circle, occupying the medical quarters. 

Major John Turnbull, son of Co'.onel William Turnbull, United States en- 
gineer, is a bachelor, but prominent in army social circles; Captain James M. 
Lancaster, whose wife is very attractive, goes but very little in society; Cap- 
tain James Chester, a bechelor, a Scotchman by birth, who began his military 
career in the ranks and is regarded as one of the most accomplished officers in 
the service; Major F. W. Hess, whose wife was Miss Hayden, of an old 
Baltimore family, and Captain John F. Mount, whose wife was Miss Thomp- 
son, of Pittsford, of the interior of New York, make up the circle of the 
battery commanders of the garrison. 

Of the wives of the first lieutenants, Mrs. Constantine Chase was Miss 
Mosher, of Washington, veiy popular in society then and now Lieutenant 
Chase is regimental quartermaster. Mrs. R. D. Potts was Miss Bestor, of an 
old Washington family. Lieutenant Potts is the son of John Potts, for many 
years chief clerk of the war department. Mrs. Humphreys is wife of Lieu- 
tenant Charles Humphreys, a son of General A. A. Humphreys, the distin- 
guished commander of the Second division of the Third corps at Gettysburg. 
Mrs. J. B. Eaton was Miss Gove, a pretty Quaker maiden, of Boston. Mrs. 
Edward Davis vas also Miss Davis, of Washington, another favorite in resi- 
dent society. Mrs. S. Pratt was Miss Keith, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. 
Lieutenant Benjamin Harrison Randolph is a bachelor and son of a Rhode 
Island clergyman. Mrs. J. D. C. Hoskins was Miss Guiterez, a Cuban belle 
and daughter of the Cuban patriot Senor Guiterez, the friend of Gonzales. 
Mrs. H. R. Lemly was Catherine Palmer, one of the three beautiful and ac- 
complished daughters of General Innis Palmer, United States army. Lieu- 
tenant Lemly is a brother of the well-known Naval Lieutenant Lemly. Mrs. 
J. E. Myers was Miss Canfield, daughter of a New York clergyman. 
Charles B. Satterlee, another of the bachelor officers, is adjutant of the regi. 
ment. 



THE NAVV IN SOCIETY. 1 79 

The young and dashing second lieutenants of the garrison, Charles A. Ben- 
net, Louis Ostheim, ami J. D. Barrette, leader of the army and navy Germans, 
are still on fatigue duty socially, and are subject to orders. When Cupid finds 
them with his little dart, hemlet, buckler and sword, there will be no defense 
against the insidious missile and society will witness them surrender at dis- 
cretion to the invincible. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
The Navy in Society. 

The navai. circle — the admiral and mrs. porter— the vice admiral 
— the active rear admirals — officers of the administrative lu'- 

REAUSAND THEIR LADIES — THE JUDGE ADV0CA7 E GENERAL — PROFESSOR 
NEWCOMH AND ASSISTANTS AND THEIR LADIES — THE OFFICERS OF THE 
HVDROGRAI-HIC OFFICE, STEEL INSPECTION, NAVAL OBSERVATORY, NAVY 
YARD, AND ON SPECIAL DUTY — THEIR LADIES. 

(fia HE administrative service of the navy requires the presence at the nationaj 
^y capital of a large assignment of officers of that branch of the war power 
^^. of the government. In addition to theirduty they form an important part 
of the surroundings of the Executive in matters of a ceremonial or social na- 
ture. The President each session gives a reception "to the officers of the 
navy" collectively, in connection with the officers of the army, upon which 
occasion the members of the civil and judicial branches of the government and 
diplomatic corps are invited. The naval society list comprises about two hun- 
dred officers, from the admiral, full of years and glory, down through the de- 
scending scale of rank to the young ensign, with his career before him. Upon 
all formal occasions the officers appear in the regulation full dress of the service 
and mingling with the brilliant court dresses of the diplomats, warlike uniforms 
of the army, and elegant toilettes of the ladies, present a scene of splendor not 
witnessed elsewhere in this country of I\epul)lican forms and sim])licity. 

The presence of such a large circle cf officers adds greatly to the many at- 
tractive features of the fashionable life of Washington during the season. 
Among the number are the representative heroes of the naval exploits of fully 
half a century. This element in the social life of the capital not only contrib- 
utes one phase of the nationality of its character, but is a living epitome of 
the country's history and its glory on the sea. The stories of their lives 
chronicle the demolition of the pagodad battlements of China, the warlike 
penetration of the rivers of Paraguay, the bombardment of the coast fortresses 
of Mexico, the storming of the walls of Corea, or the leveling cf the batteries 
of the rebellion, stretching from Port Royal to Galveston. 



l8o SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

In their aggregate official and ceremonial relation, the aAiy "takes prece- 
dence of the navy in the war power of the government. This is shown on all 
State occasions, at the President's house. In the various grades of rank in 
the several branches of the service, land and sea, there exists, however, by 
official authority, a relative rank which makes officers of the army, the navy, 
or the marine corps, within their designated grades, of equal rank, stand upon 
the same plane. The admiral of the navy, for instance, has the relative rank, 
and therefore stands on the same social level as the general of the army. 
This relative rank runs through a".l grades from the highest to the lowest, 
second lieutenants of the army and ensigns of the navy having the same social 
rank. 

The Admiral and Mrs. Porter represent the head of the naval circle. Admiral 
Porter is the most interesting figure among the living officers of the navy, not 
simply on account of his rank, but for his long period of distinguished ser- 
vice. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1813, or precisely one year after the 
declaration of hostilities in the second war against Great Britain. He entered 
the navy in 1829. His bravery and daring appears on every occasion where 
the navy has been called into general service. In Mexico he participated in 
the attacks on Vera Cruz and other Mexican ports, and the land fight at Tu- 
multee. He demolished the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi, opening the 
way to Farragut in the capture of New Orleans. He commanded the Missis- 
sippi squadron which aided in reducing Vicksburg and opening the Missis- 
sippi river, and culminated his work in the capture of Fort Fisher, one of the 
closing great events of the rebellion. The admiral is tall and sinewy, and 
courtly. True to his sailor instincts, he is fofid of "spinning yarns," with 
laudable pride, about the achievements of the navy. He lives in an elegant 
residence, and entertains brilliantly, the naval element predominating. His 
house is a sort of social rendezvous for the officers of the navy and their ladies. 
Mrs. Porter was Miss Patterson, sister of CarMe Patterson, formerly super- 
intendent of the Coast Survey, and the daughter of a commodore. While 
approaching advancement in years, she retains all the grace and vivacity that 
made her first a belle and then a leader in society. Her daughter Lizzie is 
the wife of Lieutenant Leavitt C. Logan, of the navy. Her younger daugh- 
ter, Lena, is very accomplished and attractive. Of her four handsome sons, 
Theodoric is a lieutenant in the navy, and Carlile P., first lieutenant in the 
marines. The admiral, who is seventy four, is hale and hearty. He takes a 
fatherly interest and pride in the young officers, giving them good counsel and 
encouragement. Mrs. Porter takes a motherly concern in the young wives 
as they marry into the service. 

Vice Admiral Stephen C. Rowan is an Irishman by birth, full of the wit. 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. l8l 

sunshine, ami courage of Erin's sons. He fought the first naval engagement 
of the rebellion, in May 1861. In his earlier society days he was very active 
and popular, but the weight of over four-score years is now too much of a 
handicap. Rear Admiral J. E. Jouett, of Kentucky, and Mrs. Jouett, appear 
but little in society. Admiral Jouett, president of the Board of Inspection, 
who commanded the Metacomet in the fight in Mobile bay, was directed 
by Admiral Farragut to pursue three gun-boats annoying the fleet with a 
raking fire. When pursued the enemy ran into shallow water. The man 
at the lead on Jouett's vessel soon began shouting shoal water. Jouett, de- 
termined not to give up the chase for want of water, yelled: " Take that 
man away from the lead ; he makes me nervous. Shove her ahead." Away 
she went, grinding over the bottom, but making short work of the gun-boats. 

Rear Admiral John Lee Davis, a native of Indiana, president of the Re- 
tiring Board, served in the Mexican war, and commanded the iron-clad, Mon- 
tauk, engaging Sumter, and other formidable batteries in the south Atlantic 
during the rebellion. Mrs. Davis and Miss Davis are very popular in soci- 
ety circles. 

The chiefs of the eight administrative bureaus of the Navy Department rep- 
resent the more active society people on the naval list. The senior Bureau 
in creation and senior naval officer in charge is Commodore David B. Har- 
mony, of Pennsylvania, Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. As first 
lieutenant on board the Iroquois, he participated in the passage and bombard- 
ment of the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi and capture of New Orleans 
and Grand Gulf, and in the engagements with the batteries of Vicksburg. He 
commanded the gunboat Sebego in the capture of New Orleans. Mrs. Har- 
mony, who is very handsome, and one of the leaders of society, was Georgia 
McGowan, daughter of Captain John McGowan, one of the oldest officers in 
the U. S. revenue marine service. She is a sister of the wife of Major James 
Biddle,Sixth cavalry, and sister of Lieutenant Commander John McGowan, Jr., 
and Assistant Paymaster William C. McGowan, U. S. N. 

Lieutenant Commander Charles H. Stockton, of Pennsylvania, class of 
1865, served on the transit of Venus expedition. Mrs. Stockton, who was 
Pauline King, is a daughter of the late Peter Vandervoort King, a prominent 
merchant of New York. Through her father she is connected with the old 
colonial families of Vandervof>rt and Lentilhon, of New ^'ork. Mrs. King, 
and Miss Anne \'. King, the mother and sister of Mrs. Stockton, spent the 
season in Washmgton. 

Civil Engineer Anceito G. Menocal, a native of Cuba, an authority on 
American isthmian canals and engineer of tlie Nicarauguan route, and Mrs. 
Menocal, are very interesting in society. Civil Engineer Robert E. Peary, of 



1 82 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Maine, a bachelor, is distinguished as having made a remarkable journey 
alone into the heart of the glacier-capped continent of Greenland. 

Commodore John G. Walker, of Iowa, chief of the Bureau of Navigation 
and office of Detail, has a quarter-deck readiness, and precision in his method 
of doing business which has given him high reputation as an executive officer. 
The commodore was the terror of the Confederate batteries and gun-boats 
on the Mississippi and Yazoo, in the vicinity of Vicksburg. Mrs. Walker 
was Miss Pickering of Massachusetts, great-grand-daughter of Timothy Pick- 
ering, one of Washington's cabinet officers, and grand-daughter ot John 
Pickering, the unrivaled linguist. 

This bureau is also represented in social life by Commander William Bain- 
bridge Hoff and Mrs. Hoffand Commander Bowman H. McCalla, assistant 
Chief of Bureau, and Mrs. McCalla, who was Lilly Sargent, of Boston, daugh- 
ter of General H. B. Sargent, who entered the late war as lieutenant colonel 
of the First Massachusetts cavalry. Mrs. McCalla is not only a lady of many 
social gifts, but has artistic abilities of a high order. The principal rooms in 
her beautiful home in Washington, are decorated in ]>anel work enriched with 
subjects from her own brush. 

Among the other officers are Lieutenant Richard T. Mulligan; Lieutenant 
Charles C. Cornwell, superintendent of Compasses, and Mrs. Cornwall, a 
Spanish lady of beauty, who was Seiiorita Ceda, one of the leading families of 
Barcelona. 

Commodore Montgomery Sicard, of New York, the chief of the Bureau 
of Ordnance, figured conspicuously in the late war in the naval engagements' 
preceding the capture of New Orleans and Vicksburg, and the naval and land 
assaults on Fort Fisher, and the bombardment of Fort Anderson. Commo- 
dore Sicard and Mrs. and Miss Sicard are prominent members of the society 
of the capital. The other officers of the bureau, and their ladies, are Lieu- 
tenants Albert R. Couden and Mrs. Couden ; Charles A. Stone and Mrs. 
Stone, who was Liley Wood, daughter of Chief Engineer W. W. W. Wood, 
U. S. N.; Newton E. Mason; William Wirt Kimball and Mrs Kimball, who 
was Esther S. Spencer, daughter of John Spencer, of Chester, Maryland, 
of one of the historical families of the "Eastern Shore;" Thomas C. McLean, 
and Lieutenant Charles A. Bradbury and Mrs. C. W. Bradbury, of Vermont, 
his mother. 

Commodore Winfield S. Schley, of Maryland, chief of the Burean of Equip- 
ment and Recruiting, participated in the operations of the west gulf Squad- 
ron, and in the engagements which led to the capture of Port Hudson, 
and opening of the Mississippi river. He also led the relief expedition to the 
Arctic regions, which saved the remnant of Lieutenant Greeley's starving par- 



THE NAVY IX SOCIETY. • 1 83 

ty of polar explorers. Mrs. Schley was Annie Franklin, of Annapolis. 
Miss Virginia Schley, her daughter, made her debut last season, and was a 
great belle. 

Lieutenant William H. Irwin and Ensign Herbert O. Dunn, of this Bu- 
reau, also participated in the social gayeties of the season. 

Surgeon General Francis M. Gunnell, who is a bachelor, is a man of dis- 
tinguished presence, and the Chesterfield of the navy. His mother, who was 
born in Georgetown, in January 1797, or three months before the close of 
Washington's administration, presides over his household. Mrs. Gunnell is 
one of the most interesting ladies at the capital, as her recollections of social 
events extend over a period almost as extensive as the history of the capital 
itself. The other members of the medical corps and their ladies who parti- 
cipate in the ceremonial and social affairs of W^ashington, are medical direc- 
tors James Suddards, president of the Medical Examining board, and second 
ranking officer, and Mrs. Suddards, a Philadelphia lady; James M. Browne, 
in charge of the Museum of Hygiene, and Mrs. Browne, a grand-daughter of 
Francis Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner ; Thomas J. Turner, 
a member of the Examining and Retiring board; Richard C. Dean, and Mrs. 
Dean, who is from New Jersey; Medical Inspectors David Kindelberger, 
in charge of the Naval Hospital, Mrs. Kindelberger, who is of Washington^ 
and Newton L. Bates and Mrs. Bates, on special duty at the Naval Dispen- 
sary; Surgeons William K. Van Reypen, assistant to the Bureau of Medicine> 
and Mrs. Van Reypen, who is from Brooklyn; Charles H. White, of the 
museum of Hygiene, and John C. Boyd, of the Bureau. Also Assistant 
Surgeons Cumberland G. Hall, of the Naval Dispensary, Henry G. Beyer in 
charge of the materia medica collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and 
Mrs. Beyer; Cunningham W. Deane, Surgeon of the receiving ship Dale, and 
Mrs. and the Misses Lyons; George Arthur of the Museum of Hygiene; 
Millard H. Crawford, Naval Hospital, and Francis S. Nash, on scientific 
duty at the Smithsoni-in Institution, and Mrs. Nash, who is from South Car- 
olina. 

Paymaster General James Fulton, who is Chief of the Bureau of Provisions 
and Clothing, and Mrs. Fulton, who was Miss Belle Mallard, daughter of J. 
D. Mallard, a merchant of Los Angeles, California; Pay Director Thomas 
H. I^ooker, senior of the corps in charge of tlic pay office at Washington, and 
Mrs. Looker; Pay Inspectors Riciiard Washington, and Mrs. Washington, 
who was Miss Barker, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Miss Barker, her 
sister; Luther G. Billings, and Mrs. Billings; Paymasters Henry T. Wright, 
and Mrs. Wright, a Miss Speer, of New Vork; John R. Carmody and Mrs. 
Carmody, who was Miss Etheridge, of Herkimer, New Vork; H. IrunibuU 



184 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Stancliff and Mrs. Stancliff, who was Susie A. Bullock, of Hartford, Connec- 
ticut; Lawrence L. Boggs, U. S. receiving ship Dale, and Mrs. Boggs, and 
Assistant Paymaster Livingston Hunt, son of W. H. Hunt, of Louisiana, 
former Secretary of the Navy, and his sister, Miss C. R. Hunt, the lady 
member of his household, represent this branch of the naval administration 
in the social lile of the navy circle. 

The Bureau of Steam Engineering is represented by Engineer-in-Chief 
Charles H. Loring, who superintended in the late war the building at Pitts- 
burg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, a fleet of eleven harbor and river monitors 
and light draft gunboats. One of the sad events of the season was the death 
of his daughter, Mary Malbon Loring, who presided over his household. 
Mrs. Loring, who died some years ago, was Ruth D. Malbon, of Hingham, 
grand-daughter of Captain Micajeh Mrdbon, of the British navy, in charge of 
prisoners of war in the English conflicts with France in the early part of the 
century. 

Among the other officers of the corps and their ladies in society during the 
season were chief engineers Alexander Henderson, member of the naval ad- 
visory board, and Mrs. Henderson, who was Miss Middleton, of Washington; 
Philip Inch, member of the board of inspection and survey, and Mrs. and 
Miss Inch; Henry Lee Snyder, superintendent of the State, War and Navy 
department building, and Mrs. Snyder, who was Elizabeth Lee, daughter of 
Richard Lee, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania; Charles E. De Valin, and Mrs. De 
Vahn, who was Ellen Appleby, sister of George N. Appleby, of Washington; 
Daniel P. McCartney, on duty at the Washington navy yard; Absalom Kir- 
by and Mrs. Kirby; Robert B. Hine ; William H. Harris, assistant to the 
engineer-in-chief, and W. S. Smith, inspector of new cruisers, and Mrs. Smith, 
who was a daughter of Major Young, U. S. navy, and Miss Smith; Passed 
Assistant Engineers William A. H. Allen; Harrie Webster and Mrs. Webster, 
sister of Lieutenant Otto L. Hein, First cavalry; John A. Tobin, assistant to 
the superintendent of State, War and Navy department building; Herschel 
Main, Mrs. Main, who was Charlotte Bradbury, of Westminster, Massa- 
chusetts, and Miss Mabel Main; William S. Moore, and Mrs. Moore, daugh- 
ter of Gen. Eastman, U. S. army; William H. Nauman, and Mrs. Nauman, 
who was Mary Peters, daughter of George C. Peters, banker, of Portland, 
Maine; Henry Herwig and Mrs. Herwig, who was Miss Wheat, of an old 
family, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Martin Bevington, assistant to the engi- 
neer-in chief. 

The Bureau of Construction and Repair is represented by Chief Constructor 
Theodore D. Wilson, of Ney York, the senior member of his branch of the 
naval service, a widower; Philip Hichborn, of CaHfornia, member of the 



THE NAVY IN SOCIETY. 1 85 

Board of Inspection and Survey, and Mrs. Hichborn, who was Jennie M. 
Franklin, daughter of Philip Franklin, of Townshend, Vermont, and Assistant 
Naval Constructor Lewis Nixon, of Virginia, also take part in society. 

Colonel William B. Reamy, United States Marine Corps, Judge Advocate 
General of the Navy, a bachelor, has long been a prominent society man and 
a great favorite. He entered the Marine Corps in 1S61, and serving with dis- 
tinction, came to Washington in 1869 as instructor in the army code of signals. 
Lieutenant Adolph Marix, a native of Saxony, and Lieutenant Samuel C. 
Lemly, both bachelors, are popular in society. The latter is one of the best 
posted men in the navy on society matters. Lieutenant William H. Stayton, 
marine corps, and Mrs. Stayton, who was Annie Henderson, daughter of 
Chief Engineer Henderson, U. S. N., are also pleasant members of naval 
society. 

Among the other members of the naval circle are Professor Simon New- 
comb, superintendent of the Nautical Almanac, one of the foremost mathe- 
maticians and astronomers not only of the United States, but of the world. 
Mrs. Newcomb was MaryC. Hassler, daughter of Surgeon C. A. Hassler, U. S. 
navy, and grand-daughter of Ferdinand A. Hassler, first superintendent of the 
coast survey. Miss Anita Rosalie Newcomb assiststs her mother in society. 

Lieutenant John W. Stewart, and Mrs. Stewart, who was Alice O. Laney, 
daughter of Rev. W. H. Laney, of the Methodist church, a grand-daughter of 
the late Thomas Wilson, of Silver Springs, Maryland, and related on her moth- 
er's side to the Philips and Pickerell families of Georgetown, are also agreea- 
ble members of the naval circle. 

The hydographer of the navy, Commander John R. Bartlett, chief of the 
hydrographic office, is a nephew of the late Senator Anthony, of Rhode Island. 
Mrs. Bartlett, well known in society, is also from Rhode Island. The other 
members of this scientific branch of the service, and their ladies, are Lieu- 
tenants George L. Dyer and Mrs. Dyer, who was a daughter of the late Judge 
Palmer, of New York; W. H. Parker and Mrs. Parker, a daughter of Rear 
Admiral Thornton A. Jenkens; Downs L. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson; Nathan 
Niles and Mrs. Niles, who was Blanche Rousseau, daughter of General 
Lovell Helaire Rousseau, one of the finest officers of the volunteer service 
of the late war; Charles M. Emmerick ; R. G. Davenport and Mrs. Daven- 
port, who is from New York; Gottfried Blocklinger, and Mrs. Blockinger, who 
was Miss Weigel, daughter of Frederick W. Weigel, of Dubuque, Iowa; 
Frederick H. Le Favor and Mrs. Le Favor, and Greenlief A. Merriam and 
Mrs. Merriam. Also Lieutenant Commander W. H. Brownson, Hydro- 
graphic Inspector L'. S. Coast .Survey, and Mrs. Brownson. 

Commander Robley Evans, Chief Inspector of steel for the new vessels, is 



1 86 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

one of the most active young men in the navy. Mrs. Evans was Charlotte 
Taylor, daughter of Franck Taylor, an old citizen of Washington, and a great 
grand-daughter of General Daniel Morgan, the hero of the revolutionary bat- 
tle of Covvpens. Her brother is Captain D. M. Taylor, ordnance corps, U. 
S. A , and her sister is Mrs. Maguire, wife of a former president of the 
Washington jockey club. 

Lieutenant Frank J. Milligan, who keeps the record of steel inspection 
for the new vessels of the navy, is another of the bright younger men of the 
service. Mrs. Milligan was Carrie E. Andrews, of Knoxville, Tennessee, 
and a member of the historic family of Lathrops, of Michigan. 

Commander Henry F. Picking, Naval Secretary of the Light House board, 
has seen extensive service on sea and land, and is one of the most courtly 
men in the navy. 

Among the officers on special duty and the ladies of their families during 
the season were Commodore James A. Greer, President of the Naval Exam- 
ining Board, Mrs. and Miss Greer; Commodore Aaron W. Weaver and Mrs. 
and Miss Weaver; Captain Francis M. Ramsay and Mrs. Ramsay, a sister 
of General Martin McMahon, of New York; Professor James Russell Soley, 
in charge of library and war records, formerly civil professor at the naval 
academy, author of "The Blockade and the Cruisers," and other works, and 
Mrs Soley, who was Mary Howland, grand-daughter of Gardner G. How- 
land, head of the celebrated firm of Howland & Aspinwall, merchants of New 
York; Lieutenant Richard Rush, son of J Murray Rush, an eminent lawyer 
of Philadelphia, and grand-son of Richard Rush, Secretary of the Treasury, 
minister to England, and attorney general, and Mrs. Rush, who was Ella M. 
Day, daughter of Edgar B. Day, of Catskill, New York, and grand-daughter of 
Elisha Camp, of Sackett's harbor, and famous in the war of 1812; Lieutenant 
James C. Gilmore and Mrs. Gilmore, daughter of a former collector of Alas- 
ka; Lieutenant Percival J. Werlich and Mrs. Werlich, formerly Hattie Mc- 
Ceney, one of the prettiest of Washington's young society ladies ; Lieutenant 
Chauncey Thomas, aide to the Admiral and Mrs. Thomas, who was a daugh- 
ter of J. P. Flagg, of Caml)ridge, Massachusetts ; T. Dix Bolles, of the Smith- 
sonian Institution, and Mrs, Bolles ; Captain Richard W. Meade, a nephew 
of the victcr of Gettysburg, and Mrs. Meade, whc is a daughter of Commo- 
dore Hiram Paulding, and Miss Meade; Captain WilHam P. McCann, of the 
Advisory Board, Mrs. McCann, and Miss Vulte ; Commander Silas Casey, 
commanding the U. S. receiving ship Dale, and Mrs. and the Misses Casey, 
and Lieutenant W. W. Rhoades, also of the Dale, and Mrs. Rhoades. 

The officers and scientific staff of the Naval Observatory and their ladies 
constitute another interesting group in the navy circle, among them Captain 



THE NAVY IX SOCIETY. 187 

Robert L. Pythian, the superintendent, and Mrs. Pythian; Commander Allen 

D. Urown, assistant superintentlcnt, and Mrs. and Miss I'rown; Lieutenant 
Sumner C Pai.-.e and Mrs. Paine; Lewis C. Heilner and Mrs. Heilncr; H. 
W. Schaefer and Mrs. .Schaefer; Lazarus L. Reaniey, in former seasons one 
of the popular masters of ceremony and leaders of germans, and Mrs. 
Reamy, a descendant of Elder Brewster, of Mayflower fame; William H. 
Allen and Mrs. Allen; James II. Sears and Mrs. Sears; William P. Elliott 
and Mrs. Elliott; Ensign A. G. Winterhalter, Mrs. L. Winterhalter, and Miss 
Winterhalter; A. M. Mayer, and Professor Asaph Hall and Mrs. Hall; 
William Ilarkness; John R. Eastman and Mrs. Eastman and Edgar Frisby 
and Mrs. Frisby. 

The officers of the line and ladies at the navy yard during the season formed 
an agreeable circle of their own. The Mondays "at home" of the ladies 
who resided at the yard were always the occasion of pleasant gatherings of 
many of the fashionables from the city. This interesting group, including those 
residing iii the yard and in the city, consisted of Captain Rush R. Wallace 
and Mrs. and Miss Wallace; Commanders William Gibson and Mrs. Gibson; 
A. G. Kellogg and Mrs. Kellogg, who was Miss Evans, of Washington; 
and A. H. McCormickand Mrs. McCormick; Lieutenant Commanders Robert 

E. Impey and Mrs. Impey; Eugene W. Watson and Mrs. Watson; Herbert 
Winslo*- and Mrs. Winslow; Joseph W. Hemphill; William Swift and Mrs. 
Swift; Robert E. Carmody and Mrs. Carmody; Albert G. Berry and Mrs. 
Berry; Walter C. Cowles; Edward J. Dorn and Mrs. Dorn; Alfred Rey- 
nolds and Mrs. Reynolds; Andrew Dunlap and Mrs. Dunlap; Robert Piatt 
and Mrs. Flatt; Perry Garst and Mis. Garst; and Ensigns Albert Cleaves 
and H. C. Wakenshaw. 

Among the officers on leave, or waiting orders, who spent the gay season 
with their ladies at the capital, were Captain X. II. Farquhar and Mrs. Far- 
quhar; Allen Reed and Mrs. Reed; Commander Richard P. Leary and Mrs. 
Leary; Charles D. SigsVjee and Mrs. Sigsbce; Lieutenant Commander Joshua 
Bishop and Mrs. Bishop; Francis M. Barber and Mrs. Barber; Lieutenant 
Seth M. Ackley and Mrs. Ackley; Richardson Clover and Mrs. Clover and 
her mother, Mrs. Miller, widow of U. S. Senator John F. Miller, (jf Cali- 
fornia. 

The officers of the navy and their ladies, as a rule, take a more active part 
in the social affairs of the capital than any other branch of the service. The 
officers having much of the ceremonial and social in the line of duty naturally 
makes them at home on all matters of eli(juette. 



158 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

The Marines in Society. 

"Mondays" at the barracks— fashion, music and parade — the in- 
spection "hup"— SOCIETY SIQHr SEEING— THE DRAWING-ROOMS OF 
THE WIFE OF THE COLONEL COMMANDANT — COLONEL MCCAWLEY — THE 
STAFF— MAJOR HOUSTON— CAPTAIN POPE — THE JUNIOR OFFICERS — THE 
LADIES OF THE GARRISON. 

UTs N the role of social novelties in fashionable life at the capital during the 
Vil-T g^y season no more fascinating diversion from the common round of 
\Z^J gayeties presents itself than "Mondays" at the Marine Barracks and 
Naval Arsenal, the former the headquarters of that chosen body of martial 
amphibians, the marine corps, and the latter the station of the naval ordnance 
officers who make guns that throw the destructive missiles of modern war 
from blank range to eight miles. Dowagers and matrons, buds and belles, 
wives and daughters of social highnesses, friends and lovers, may be seen 
weekly hastening towards the shores of the Anacostia, in the extreme south- 
eastern portion of the city, to take in these delightful and not soon to be for- 
gotten occasions. 

On the first Monday in December, and thereafter until gay society makes its 
annual migration to other fields, the usual inspection and review of the marines 
at the barracks is followed by a concert from 10.30, a. m., to 12, m., by the un- 
rivaled Marine Band, under the excellent leadership of Professor J. P. Sousa, 
a skillful director and composer of the popular operas Desiiee, the Smugglers, 
Queen of Hearts, and numerous miscellaneous pieces. The marines, drawn 
up on the barracks parade in their bright uniforms and highly furbished equip- 
ments, their manoeuvers executed with the precision of mechanical movements, 
their inimitable red-uniformed band of sixty pieces discoursing the finest music, 
the sheen of bayonets and glistening of silver instruments, presents a lively 
picture of martial array. 

In the mess hall of the barracks the group of capital beauties in their ele- 
gant morning toilettes, dwelling in raptures upon the delightful harmonies of 
the corps band, presents another picture of social entertainment enjoyaljle in 
the extreme. The repertoire is chosen from the choicest and latest creations 
of composers of all lands adapted under the genius of Sousa. Not unfre- 
quently the wishes of the young ladies prevail for a short "hop," which is al- 
lowed in the large suite of the main quarters of the officers, the string orches- 
tra of the band furnishing excellent music. 

Pending an intermission of an hour or two, the ladies, under escort of the 



THE MARINES IN SOCIETY. 1 89 

gaily-uniiormetl officers of the corps, visit the navy yard near by, taking a 
glance at the sulphurous flames of its fiery foundries, the workings of the pon- 
derous lathes, the ships of war lying in the stream and the frowning practice 
batteries scanning the placid waters of the broad Anacostia and Potomac. 

Having viewed the appliances of grim-visaged war, returning to the bar- 
racks, the reception of Mrs. McCawley, the wife of the colonel commandant, 
awaits them from 2 to 5, p- m. 

The first lady of the social circle of the Marine Corps, before she became the 
wife of the gallant colonel commandant, was Miss Elise Henderson, of Ger- 
mantown, a niece of the brave old admiral, James Alden, the "fighting Jim- 
my " of the navy. Mrs. McCawley's receptions are among the most charming 
in Washington. The lady herself is exceedingly pretty, very attractive and 
does the social honors of the corps with surpassing popularity. 

Colonel Charles G. McCawley was born into the corps, his father having 
been a captain of marines. He is one of the handsome men of the service, 
being tall, well formed, with a military bearing. He is a Pennsylvanian, and 
joined the corps as a second lieutenant for service in Mexico. He partici- 
pated in the storming of Chapultepec and taking of the Mexican capital, and 
was brevetted for meritorious conduct. After distinguished services else- 
where, he commanded a detachment of one hundred marines in a boat attack 
on P'ort Sumter, in 1863, for which he was brevetted major. He earned his 
command of the corps in 1876, through the laurels he had harvested on many 
fields of his country's glory. 

The military and social duty of the corps is represented on the staff by Ma- 
jor Augustus S. Nicholson, adjutant and inspector, a son of the brave Major 
Augustus Nicholson, of the marines. He is a man of soldierly instincts, and 
very fond of fine horses, which he inherits from his father, a native of South 
Carolina, who owned the celebrated trotter Trenton, and was the leader of 
the aristocratic sporting circles of the early days of the capital. His mother 
was a member of the Lispenard family, one of the old families of New York, 
who owned what is now the busiest portion of the city. His brother is the 
veteran Commodore Nicholson. Mrs. Nicholson, who is of medium height, 
a very pretty blond, prematurely gray, was Jane Jessup, a daughter of the cel- 
ebrated Colonel Jessup, of the army, afterward quartermaster general, who 
gave the Indians such a terrible defeat in Florida, capturing the sly old chief 
warrior, Osceola. The Nicholsons live m the city where they receive hand- 
somely. 

Major Green Clay Goodloe has charge of the money chest of the corps. 
He is the grandson of Cassius M. Clay, and a thoroughbred blue grass Ken- 
tuckian. He is one of the handsomest men who ever wore the American 



190 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

uniform — a little too stout perhaps, of late years, the fate of all high-strung 
Kentuckians. Mrs. Goodloe was Bettie Beck, the tall, lithe, graceful, and 
winning daughter of the liluff, honest-hearted Scotch- American United States 
Senator Beck, of Kentucky. She is a great grand-daughter, on her mother's 
side, of Colonel John Thornton, a cousin of General \Vashington. 

Major Horatio B. Lowry, the Quartermaster of the corps, is a fine, sol- 
dierly looking person, of middle age, who entered the service in 1861. He 
was distinguished in the operations of the marines in the naval movements dur- 
ing the rebellion. Mrs. Lowry, who was Charlotte Huntingdon Young, 
of Aurora, New York, is the daughter of Charles Clarke Young, one of the 
three founders of the Phi Beta Kappa society of Union College, and is de- 
scended from Judge John Young, a Scotch Irishman, who emigrated to Whites 
Town, near Utica, New York, about 1790, and married a daughter of Judge 
Hugh White, who, with his brother Philo White, established that settlement. 
Judge Young was the original proprietor of fifteen thousand acres of land 
in Ohio, and founder, about 1797, of the now enterprising city of Youngs- 
town, He was the presiding Judge of the first court of quarter sessions of 
Trumbull county, Ohio. The Misses Mary Louisa, Ida Frances, and Helen 
Olivia Lowry, daughters of Major Lowry, are very attractive 'and popular 
young ladies. 

Major George P. Houston, commander of the marine barracks and its 
garrison, is a bachelor, but keeps house in the city with his two sisters. He 
is a native of the Pequa valley, that garden spot of Pennsylvania. His fa- 
ther was the celebrated Dr. Houston, and his grand father was "Squire" 
Houston, one of Lancaster county's chosen citizens. Major Houston entered 
the corps in i860, and during the rebellion commanded the marines of Ad- 
miral Wilkes flag-ship Massachusetts, in search of the Confederate cruiser 
Alabama. He entered the corps in i860, receivinghis appointment personally 
from President James Buchanan, who, as a young man, studied law under 
Judge James Hopkins, of Lancaster. Major Houston's grand-mother was 
Judge Hopkins' sister. His mother was Miss Hughes, of Lancaster, a great 
belle. 

He presents a fine appearance at the head of his garrison of a couple of hun- 
dred superbly uniformed, equipped and drilled marines, with their magnifi- 
cent band, drum corps, and buglers. 

Captain Francis H. Harrington, second in command at the barracks, a na- 
tive of Washington, is the son of a Washington journalist, George H. Har- 
rington, afterwards Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Salmon P. 
Chase and William Pitt Fessenden, and Minister Resident to Switzerland 
1865-9. The Captain comes from old-time patriotic and fighting stock, being 



THE MARINES IN' SOCIETY. IQI 

a descendant of Samuel Chase, of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. His mother was a niece of the brave Commodore Barney. 
Mrs. Harrington, a charming lady, was Rose Callen, daughter of J. F. CaU 
len, one o< Washington's most prominent citizens. 

Another branch in the line of duty and in the social circle of the Marine 
Corps is made up of the ofii;ers and their ladies of the marine garrison sta- 
tioned at the Naval Arsenal in the vicinity of the barracks. The commander 
of the garrison, Cap'.ain Percival C. Pope, a son of Rear Admiral John Pope, 
is a native of Massachusetts. During the war of the rebellion he was bre* 
vetted for gallantry. Me is one of llie finest officers in the service. Mrs. 
Pope was Sarah W. Parker, daughter of one of llie celebrated captains of the 
New England Merchant Marine. Captain Parker was m command of the 
clipper Santee, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, when captured in the Indian 
Ocean by the Confederate cruiser Florida. Mrs. Pope is a lady of fine social 
traits. 

Lieutenant Carlile P. Porter, second in command, the handsome son of 
Admiral Porter, has all the social qualities and gallantry of his distinguished 
family. The Lieutenant's wife was Carrie Capron, daughter of that heroic 
old soldier. Captain Capron, who fell in Mexico while in command of a bat- 
tery of United States artillery in action in one of tlie series of desperate en- 
counters against great odds on the march from Vera Cruz to the City of the 
Montezumas. Mrs. Porter is a beautiful blonde, tall and slender, with charm- 
ing manners and excellent taste in dress. 

Lieutenant Frank L. Denny, son of Judge Denny, of Indianapolis, and 
nephew of Admiral Davis, is another of the popular officers. Mrs. Denny 
was Julia Palmer, daughter of General Innis Palmer, one of the army's best 
officers. She was a great belle, and a universal favorite. Lieutenant How- 
ard K. Oilman, the junior of the garrison officers is not only another of the 
universally handsome officers of the corps, but is the author of several works 
on military subjects, notably " Naval Brigade and Operations Ashore." He is 
the son of Colonel Oilman, of the Commissary Department of the army. 

Dr. Andrew M. Moore, surgeon in the navy, who was on duty at the bar- 
racks, is a native of New York. In society, he and his estimable wife, a Ten- 
nesseean, are among the interesting social figures of the navy and marine 
circles. Dr. Melancthon L. Ruth, who has relieved Dr. Moore as surgeon 
of the corps, is one of the prominent club men and beaux of Washington, 
being known in naval circles as the " handsome doctor." 



192 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Retired Officers of the Army, Navy and Marines. 

Heroes on land and sea— the veterans of three wars in the peace- 
ful WALKS of social LIFE — A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING OF BRAVE 
MEN AND ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN. 

§T is quite natural that the seat of government should be the residence of 
a large representation of the gallant officers who have fought the battles 
of their country for fully a half a century on land and sea. The asso- 
ciations of the camp and the quarter-deck, strengthened by dangers and pri- 
vations, find congenial companionship among those who have gone through 
the ordeal of war and duty. The presence also of so large an array of offi- 
cers of both branches of the fighting arm of the government in the adminis- 
trative branches, is another source of attraction to the men worn out in the 
service, yet by habits of discipline wont to go the rounds and keep up with 
the latest bit of army or navy intelligence. 

The retired officers of the army at the capital number nearly seventy, and 
their wives and daughters upwards of a hundred. The navy adds over fifty 
officers and upwards of sixty ladies to the list. In the social life of the capi- 
tal they receive social recognition with their different branches of the service, 
and appear, if their infirmities and disabilities will admit, at the Execu- 
tive mansion upon occasions in which the army and navy are part of the dis. 
play. 

The ranking officer on this roll of war worn veterans of the army is Major 
General James B. Ricketts, of New Jersey, one of the most distinguished 
generals of the late war. He commanded a battery in the first battle of Bull 
Run, and a division in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. He was 
repeatedly brevetted for bravery, and disabled by wounds. Mrs. Ricketts is 
one of the most active ladies in social affairs. Her daughter. Miss Daisy 
Ricketts, is a great favorite. 

The next in the line are the generals of brigade, who for heroic or merito- 
rious services were made major generals by brevet, and their ladies. 

Christopher G. Augur, of New York, was distinguished in Mexico, in the 
defenses of Washington, and in the campaigns in the Shenandoah valley, and 
siege of Port Hudson. Mrs. Augur, has two sons captains Colon of the Sec- 
ond, and Jacob A. Augur, of the Fifth cavalry, and a daughter, the wife of 
George B. Russel, Ninth Infantry, and also an unmarried daughter. Benjamin 
W, Brice, of Pennsylvania, former Paymaster General, is one of the courtly 
men of the old army. William H. Emory, of Maryland, one of the most dis- 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVV AND MARINES. I93 

tinguished officers of ihe Army of the Potomac, the Shenandoah valley, and 
the Gulf, pending reconstruction, was military commander at New Orleans. 
Mrs. Emory was Miss Bache, daugher of an early superintendent U. S. 
Coast Survey, and grand daughter of Benjamin Franklin. Her son. Lieuten- 
ant William H. Emory, U. S. N., commanded one of the vessels in the Schley 
expedition for the relief of the Greeley arctic explorers. Miss Emory is a 
charming member of society. Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, succeeded John R. 
Floyd, in 1S60, as Secretary of War, cooperated with the general-in-chicf in 
maintaining order at the capital preceding and succeeding the inauguration of 
President Lincoln, and later as judge advocate general of the army, was con- 
spicuous in the trial and execution of the conspirators headed by WMlkes 
Booth. Montgomery C Meigs, of Pennsylvania, is one of the most distin- 
guished engineers and architects in the army. He built the Wasliington 
aqueduct, wings and dome of the capitol, and the new pension building at 
Washington. Mrs. and the Misses Taylor, are the lady members of his house- 
hold. Daniel H. Rucker, of New Jersey, breve ted for services in the Mex- 
ican and late wars was Quartermaster General. Mrs. Rucker was Irene 
Curtis, daughter of Lieutenant Curtis, of the infantry, and her entertaining 
daughters are the Misses Louisa and Sarah Rucker. Another daughter, 
Irene, is the wife of the lieutenant general. Edward D. Tovvnsend, of 
Massachusetts, chief of staff to General Scott, in 1861, and later adjutant gen- 
eral United States army, was ad interim Secretary of War, pending the con- 
troversy between President Johnson and General Grant. Mrs. Townsend, 
and the Misses Townsend, and Miss .\uchmity, are the ladies of his family. 
Horatio G. Wright, of Connecticut, wlio constructed tlie defense of Washing- 
ton, 1S61, commanded the famous Sixth corps. Mrs. W'right and Mrs. Smith, 
represent him socially. 

In the list of generals of brigade are Nathan W. Brown, of New York, 
former Paymaster General, son of Jacob Brown, General in Chief of the 
Army, 1821-28. His two daughters, Virginia Duval and Susan M. Brown, 
are attractive members of society. William McK. Dunn, of Indiana, former 
Judge Advocate General. Mrs. Dunn was Miss Lanier, daughter of a New 
York banker, formerly of Indiana. Her daughter is the wife of D. R. Mc- 
Kee, agent of the Associated Press at Washington. A son, William McK. 
Dunn, is captain Second artillery, another is a planter in Virginia. 

In the list of colonels and brevet major generals, are Henry F. Clarke, of 
Pennsylvania, who served in the artillery in the Mexican war, and was dis- 
tinguished in the Subsistence Department in the late war, Mrs. Clarke, Miss 
Jones are the lady members of his family. Henry J. Hunt, of Micliigan, or- 
ganised and was fhief of artillery of the army of tlie Potomac. Mrs. Hunt 

»3 



194 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

and the Misses Hunt complete his family. Joseph J. Reynolds, of Indiana, 
was distinguished in the battles of the army of the Cumberland, and later as 
commander of the Nineteenth army corps. The ladies of his family are Mrs. 
Reynolds, Mrs. Hayden, Miss Bainbrid^e. 

Next in the line are colonels and brevet brigadier generals. Edmund B. 
Alexander, of Kentucky, is the oldest living graduate of the military academy, 
having entered the infantry from that institution in 1823, distinguished in the 
Mexican war, and on recruiting, staff and administrative duties in the late 
\i'ar. His daughter, Mrs. Colonel Lieber, is very popular in society. Another 
slaughter is the wife of the professor of drawing at the military academy, and 
two sons. Lieutenant Colonels Richard H. and Charles T. Alexander are sur- 
:geons U. S. A. Robert E. Clary was formerly Chief Quartermaster and As- 
sistant to the Quartermaster General. Mrs. Clary, Mrs. Kay, and Miss Kay 
are the ladies of his family. Frederick T. Dent, of Missouri, brevetted in 
Mexico, was on the staff of General Grant in the late war. Mrs. Dent was 
formerly Miss Lynde, daughter of the late Major Lynde, U. S. A. Lawrence 
B. Graham, of Virginia, was in the battles against the Seminoles, in Mexico, 
and commander of a cavalry brigade army of the Potomac. Mrs. Graham 
is very agreeable. John J. Gregg was commander of a cavalry brigade of the 
army of the Potomac. Mrs Gregg is popular in a large circle. 

Peter V. Ilagner commanded the regular siege train company of ordnance 
in the battles preceding the capture of Mexico, and was in charge of pur- 
chase and issue of military supplies in the late war. Mrs. Hagner is very 
agreeable. Innis N. Palmer was a distinguished corps commander of the 
late war. Mrs. Palmer is a niece of Mrs. Colonel Lawrence P. Graham. 
Her three beautiful daughters, Catharine, wife of Lieutenant H. R. Lemly, 
Third artillery, another the wife of Lieutenant Frank L. Denny, marine corps, 
and Mrs. Swift, wife of Lieutenant Eben Swift, Fifth cavalry, aid to General 
Merritt, were very popular as young ladies in Washington society. George 
Thom was a distinguished topographical engineer, aide to General, after 
President, Franklin Pierce, in the Mexican war. Stewart Van Vliet served 
in the artillery in the Florida and Mexican wars, and was chief quartermaster 
army of the Potomac during the rebellion. He was one year at West Point 
during the term of General Grant. They became close friends, which was 
maintained through life. General Van Miet was one of the little circle of 
army companions who played ''Boston" with President Grant once a week 
of an evening at the White House for old time amusement. He is one of the 
most indefatigable and popular members of society, being seen upon all occa- 
sions. Mrs. Van Vliet was Sarah Jane Brown, daughter of Major Jacob 
Brown, of the artillery, killed in the Mexican war, and after whom Fort 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 1 95 

Brown, now Brownsville, Texas, was named. Iler sister Mary married Dr. 
S. P. Moore, formerly a surgeon in the army, who went South and was Sur- 
geon General in the Confederate service. Lieutenant Robert Campbell Van 
\liet, adjutant Tenth infantry, a son, is one of the best shots in the army, hav- 
ing won several prizes. Dr. Frederick C. Van Vliet resides at the General's 
summer place at Shrewl)ury, New Jersey. 

In the array of retired heroes of the field and staff, and their ladies, are 
Colonel Joseph Conrad, distinguished in the battles of the Army of the Cum- 
berland, Mrs. and Miss Conrad; John F. Head, of the Medrcal Department, 
and Mrs. Head; John Macomb, of frontier garrison and engineer fame, Mrs. 
and the Misses Macomb; John D. Wilkins, colonel Fifth infantry, and Mrs. 
Wilkins, who was Miss Howard, of Washington; Theodore Yates, retired 
for wounds in the line of duty, Mrs. and Miss Yates. Lieutenant Colonels 
James J. Dana and Mrs. Dana; Orlanda H. Moore; L. Sitgraves and Mrs, 
Sitgraves ; Major Joseph B. CoUins and Mrs. Collins; Theodore J, Ecker- 
son and Mrs. Eckerson; Edward McK. Hudson, Miss Hudson, Miss M. L. 
Hudson, and Miss E. McK. Hudson; David B. McKibben, Mrs. McKibben, 
and Mrs. Herring; James McMillan, Mrs. McMillan, who was Miss Dodge, 
of Georgetown, and Mrs. Randolph and Nicholas Vedder, Mrs. Vedder, and 
Mrs. Fleming. 

In the list of retired officers of the line and their ladies, are Captains 
Thomas F. Azpell, Mrs. and the Misses Azpell ; Francis H. Bates, Mrs. 
Bates, sister of the wife of Surgeon Greenleaf, U. S. A., and Miss Katie 
Bates ; James A. Bates, Mrs. Bates ; C. Bendire, on duty at the Smithsonian 
Institution, an authority on entomology; Charles M. Callahan, Mrs. Callahan, 
and Mrs. Crissman; George A. Armes, Mrs. Amies, and the Misses Armes; 
Robert Catlin and Mrs. Catlin, who was Miss Satterlee, daughter of a re- 
tired banker, formerly residing near New York; John S. Garland, Mrs. Gar- 
land, and the Misses Garland; Thomas B. Hunt, Mrs. and Miss Hunt; Gar- 
rick Mallery, of the bureau of ethnology, an authority on Indian languages, 
and Mrs. Mallery; John Miller, Mrs. Miller, and Miss Zapponi ; Charles M. 
Pyne and Mrs. Pyne ; Wright Rives, Mrs. Rives, and Mrs. Williams; 
Benjamin F. Rittenhouse and Mrs. Rittenhouse ; Alfred B. Taylor and Mrs. 
Taylor; Richard W. Tyler and Mrs. Tyler; Charles J. Von Hermann and Mrs. 
Von Hermann, and Frederick Whyte, Mrs. Wliyte, Miss Jones, and Miss 
Brennan. First Lieutenants Edward AUsworth, Mrs. Allsworth and Mrs. 
Washburn; Francis E. Brownell, Mrs. Brownell, and Miss Harrington; 
Robert G. Carter and Mrs. Carter ; Oscar J. Converse and Mrs. Converse; 
William A. Dinwiddle and Mrs. Dinwiddie ; Richard C.Dubois and Mrs. 
Dubois ; Frank P. Gross, Mrs. Gross, Mrs. MorroW; and Miss Brass ; Rob- 



196 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

ert G. Rutherford, Mrs. and Miss Rutherford, and Royal F. Whitman and 
Mrs. Whitman. 

There were twenty-five rear admirals, who made their residence in Wash- 
ington during the season. These heroes of the country's glory on the high 
seas are a valuable and interesting acquisition to the naval circle in particular 
and fashionable life in general. Their social accomplishments are the accre- 
tion of varied experiences at home and at the courts and in the gay circles of 
foreign lands. As a class they maintain the activity of their younger days 
and, in fact, frequently quite outdo the younger officers in instances of gal- 
lantry. 

In this list, with the ladies of their families, are Thomas O. Selfridge, of 
Massachusetts, the oldest living officer of the navy, having entered it in 1818. 
Mrs. Selfridge and Mrs. Johnson; William Radford, of Virginia, commander 
of the Cumberland, but on court-martial duty when sunk by the ram Merri- 
mac, and Mrs. Radford; Samuel Philips Lee, of Virginia, at one time com- 
mander of the North Atlantic blockading squadron, who intercepted General 
Hood on the Cumberland river, saving General Thomas' army, and Mrs Lee. 
Thornton A. Jenkins, of Virginia, fleet captain and chief of staff of Farra- 
gut's squadron. Miss Jenkins, Alice Jenkins, an artist of merit, Carrie Jen- 
kins, a society favorite; William Rogers Taylor, of Rhode Island, fleet cap- 
tain with Admiral Dahlgren in the operations against Morris Island and Fort 
Sumter, and Mrs. Taylor; Charles Steedman, of South Carolina, one of the 
heroes of the many engagements along the coast, and Miss Steedman; John 
J. Almy, of Rhode Island, captor of four noted blockade running steamers 
with valuable cargoes, and destroyer of four others, and Miss Annie Almy; 
C. R. P. Rodgers, of New York, fleet captain to Admiral Dupont, and Mrs. 
Rodgers; Thomas H. Patterson, of Louisiana, who led the naval support of 
McClellan's army on the York peninsula, and Mrs. Patterson; John C. How- 
ell, of Pennsylvania, a hero of both actions at Fort Fisher, Mrs. and Miss 
Maria Howell; Thomas H. Stevens, of Connecticut, distinguished in nearly 
all the engagements of the war on the lower Chesapeake and south Atlantic, 
and Mrs. Stevens ; Samuel P. Carter, of Tennessee, assigned to the com- 
mand of a brigade of the loyal Tennesseeans, and distinguished in the cam- 
paigns in Kentucky and Tennessee, and Mrs. Carter; Edmund R. Colhoun, 
of Pennsylvania, conspicuous lor gallantry in the operations on the southern 
coast, Mrs. and Miss Colhoun and Helen Colhoun; Clark H. Wells, of Penn- 
sylvania, one of the heroes of Admiral Farragut's attack on the Mobile, Mrs. 
Wells, who was Mary Welsh, of York, Pa., and her daughter, Mrs. Ellen 
Welsh Reeder, wife of the executive officer of the Galena ; Daniel Ammen, 
of Ohio, distinguished in the attacks on Forts Sumter and Fisher, and by 



RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES. 197 

President Grant, liis boyhood friend, placed in charge of the development of 
a plan of interoceanic coinnmnication across the American isthmus; Andrew 
Bryson, of New York, in all the principal actions off Charleston in which the 
iron clads were engaged, and Mrs. and Miss Bryson; John C. Febiger, of 
Pennsylvania, of the Gulf and Atlantic squadrons, Mrs. Febiger and Miss 
Johnson ; Pierce Crosby, of Pennsylvania, distinguished in the capture of 
New Orleans, on the Mississippi and south Atlantic, Mrs. Crosby, who was 
Louise Audenriecl, sister of the late Colonel Joseph C. Audenried, of General 
Sherman's staff; William Temple, of Vermont, who participated in the bom- 
bardment and capture of Richmond, and Mrs. Temple; John H. Upshur, of 
Virginia, active in the operations in the north and south Atlantic blockading 
squadron and Mrs. Upshur, who was widow of General Phil. Kearney ; S. 
P. Quackenbush, of New York, who covered the retreat of Burnsides' army 
at Roanoke island, and Mrs. Quackenbush; Walter W. Queen, of New York, 
one of the division commanders of Porter's mortar flotilla at New Orleans 
and Vicksburg, and Mrs. Queen; Frances A. Roe, of New York, distinguish- 
ed in the cajjture of New Orleans, and many engagements on the western 
rivers, and Mrs. Roe; John II. Russell, of Maryland, in the actions leading 
to the capture of New Orleans and Vicksburg, and Mrs. Russel, and John 
L. Worden, of New York, the commander of the Monitor when she sunk 
the Merrimac in Hampton Rhoads, March 1862, and Mrs. Worden, Grace 
Worden, and Mrs. Busbee. 

In the other grades of the line, those of the retired otificers and their ladies, 
who participated in social gayeties at the capital during the season, were Com- 
modore Somerville Nicholson, of New York, Mrs. and Miss Nicholson; Captain 
Andrew W. Johnson, of the District of Columbia, and Miss Johnson, and 
Commander H. De Haven Manley, and Mrs. Manley and George M. Bache 
and Lieutenant Frederick E. Upton. 

The distinguished retired members of the staff, and their ladies, who take 
part in society, are Medical Directors Charles D. Maxwell, Mrs. and Miss 
Maxwell, and William Grier ; Pay Directors George F. Cutter, Mrs. Cutter, 
and James H. Watmough, Mrs. Watniough ; Pay Inspector James N Car- 
penter, and Paymaster George A. Sawyer, and Mrs. Sawyer; Chief Engi- 
neers William H. Shock, Nathan B. Clark, and Mrs. Clark, W. H. Hunt, and 
W. H. Rutherford; Passed Assistant Engineer R. H. Gunnell, Mrs. Gunnell; 
Professors J. H. C. Coffin, and Mrs. Chew; Henry H. Lockwood and Mrs. 
I.ockwood, and J. E. Nourse, Mrs. Nourse, Mi>.s Nourse; Naval Conductor 
John W. Easby and Mrs Easby; Civil Engineer W. P. S. Sanger and Mrs. 
.Sanger, and Ensigns R. C. Ray and Mrs, Ray, and Edward E. Hayden and 
Mrs. Hayden. 



ipS SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

The retired officers of the Marine Corps, and their ladies, who reside in 
Washington, are Major William B. Slack and Mrs. Slack, a niece of Senator 
Pierce, of Maryland; Major G. B. Graham, and Captain G. B. Haycock and 
Mrs. Haycock. 

Many of the retired officers of both branches of the war-making arm of the 
government give entertainments, and take an active part in the social gayeties 
of the season. 




IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 1 99 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

In the Statutory Rank of Official Precedence. 

'ihe judges of the court of claims and their ladies — the secreta- 
ry of the senate — the clerk of the house of representatives — 
the assistant secretariks of executive departments — the clerk 
of the supreme court of the united states — their social sur- 
roundings. 

(;ii*T EXT to the chief officers of the legislative, executive, and jutlicial 
7\\^ branches of the government in the scale of official duty and social dig- 
tJ_jA) nity, are those upon whom rests the immediate responsibility for the 
direction of the details of administration. As a rule, they are gentleman of 
commanding abilities and experience, and have performed distinguished 
services in (he various walks of national, State, or municipal affairs. In their 
social life and surroundings, they form a prominent feature in the circle of 
official fashionable gayeties during the season. 

In thejudicial system of the United States, the Court of Claims, from an off- 
shoot of Congress with less power than a committee of that body aiul no au- 
thority to give judgement against the United States, it has been created by 
later enactments a tribunal with exclusive original jurisdiction of all cases 
wherein the government has consented to be sued, and with special jurisdic- 
tion in many cases involving important interests and large sums of money. 

William A. Richardson, Chief Justice of the Court of Claims, is a man of 
long experience in the theory, practice, and application of laws. In 1855 
he was one of the commissioners to revise the statutes of the State of Massa- 
chusetts. He was sixteen years judge of Probate and Insolvency, and de- 
clined a judgeship of the Superior Court. He has at different times held five 
commissions, giving him a life tenure of office. During the Boutwell regime 
in the treasury dep.-irtment in the Grant administration, he was Assistant Sec- 
retary and succeeded to the chief place when Mr. Boutwell retired. He re- 
signed to go on the bench of tlie Court of Claims and at the close of the Arthur 
administration was raised to Chief Justice. 

The elegant mansion and social surroundings of Judge Richardson are pre 
sided over by hi* daughter, who is the wife of l)r. A. F. Magruder, surgeon 
in the United States Navy. As a young lady Miss Isabel Richardson was 
very po])ular in Washington society. Mrs. Richardson died in Paris in 1876. 
During the jveriod of Judge Richartlson's Secrelaryihip nf the Treasury she 
was one of the prominent ladies of the cabinet circle. 

In the personnel of judges of the court, Charles \V. Nott, of New York, is 



200 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the senior on the Hst. He took an early part in Republican politics. He was 
a member of tha committee which had charge of the Cooper Institute demon- 
stration in i860, upon which occasion Abraham Lincoln, in the flush of the 
prestige of his vigorous senatorial contest in the field against Douglass^ made 
the great speech, which opened the way to his nomination and election to the 
Presidency the same year. Judge Nott, after service in the war, was appointed 
to the bench of the Court of Claims, among the last acts of President Lincoln's 
administration. Mrs. Nott, who entertains during the season, is popular in 
society. 

Glenni W. Scofield is the most widely known member of the Court. He 
represented one of the northwestern districts of Pennsylvania in Congress as 
early as 1862, and was conspicuous not only as a legislator, but for his legal 
learning. He was one of the intimate friends of President Lincoln. An in- 
cident in his acquiantance illustrates the kindly methods of the President. A 
private soldiei in one of the companies from the Representative's district hav- 
ing stepped out of the ranks and knocked down his captain, by a court-martial 
was sentenced to the Dry Tortugas. Political pressure compelled the Repre- 
sentative to see the authorities to endeavor to secure a pardon. Representa- 
tive Scofield called upon the President and explained his case. The President 
dryly remarked "so your man knocked his captain down. Now if you will 
just get Congress to pass a law giving a private soldier the right to knock his 
captain down, then I will be able to see my way to getting your friend re- 
leased." The Representative, drawing the moral of the President's suggestion, 
liad nothing more to say. Mrs. Scofield was Laura M. Tanner, daughter of 
Archibald Tanner, one of the early settlers and merchants of northwestern 
Pennsylvania. Her daughter EUie is a young lady of quiet manners. This 
interesting family has long been prominent in the social life at the capital. 

Judge Lawrence Weldon, of Ohio, was appointed to the bench of the Court 
of Claims by President Arthur. He was one of the early friends of President 
Lincoln, a lawyer by profession, and declining political preferment until ap- 
pointed to his present place, divided his time between important litigation and 
the professorship of law in the Wesleyan University of Illinois. Mrs. Weldon, 
who is a lady of literary instincts, has around her a wide circle of congenial 
lady friends. She is assisted in her social stTairs by her married daughter, 
who visits Washington durirg the season. 

Judge John Davis, of Massachusetts, is the youngest member of the Court 
of Claims. He was thirty-four years of age when he was placed there in the 
last days of the Arthur administration. He was assistant counsel of the 
United States before the French American claims commission, and later As- 
sistant Secretary of State. Mrs, Davis was Miss Frelinghuysen, daughter of 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 20I 

Arthur's Secretary of State, and lias been a great favorite and much admired in 
Washington social circles as the daughter of a distinguished Senator of the 
United States and Premier of an administration, and also as the wife of an 
Assistant Secretary of State, and ni)w in the judicial circle. 

The retired members of the court are Chief Justice Charles D. Drake, 
formerly a Senator of the United Stales from Missouri. He was conspicuous 
in State and national affairs in those days. Mrs. Drake and daughter, Mrs. 
Westcott, a widow, compose his family. Judge Edward G. Loring, another 
retired member of the court, was appointed by President Buchanan. He 
was previously judge of probate in Suffolk county, Massachusetts, and was 
legislated out of office by the "Abolitionist " majority in the Legislature of 
that State for issuing a warrant for the arrest and return of a fugitive slave. 
The Misses Loring are very well known in society. 

Anson G. McCook, the Secretary of the Senate, belongs to the Ohio family 
of that name, represented l)y Edwin G. McCook, a well-known cavalry officer 
of the late war; Robert S. McCook,, commander in the Navy; Governor 
McCook, of Colorado; Rev. Mr. McCook, of the Presbyterian ministry, and 
Alexander McD. McCook, colonel Sixth infantry. He was himself a gallant 
officer in the army of the Cumberland. Secretary McCook, at the close of 
the war, having settled in New York, in company with General Joshua T. 
Owen, of Philadelphia, established The Law Reporter, for the publication of 
legal notices and advertisements of the New York courts. He was elected to 
several Congresses from the "Fifth Avenue Hotel district," famous for its 
men of wealth, ladies of fashion, and politicians. In 1883, upon the return 
of the .Senate to Republican control, he succeeded in effecting a concentration 
of voles in his favor for the secretaryship of tliat body, against George C. 
Gorham, of California, one of the shrewd men (jf national politics, a friend 
of ex-United States Senator Conkling, and a stalwart of pronounced type. 
Mrs. McCook was Miss McCook, of New York, a cousin of her husband, to 
whom she was married in 1886. She is a lady of high education, fine social 
trails, and prominently known in society at the capital. 

General John B. Clark, clerk of the House of Representatives, was well 
known in Congressional circles as a member of that body for five terms, be- 
ginning in 1873. His father was a Representative from 1854 to '61. During 
the two months triangular contest for the speakership of the Thirty-sixth 
Congress he forced the fight by introducing a resolution declaring that no man 
should be elected speaker who endorsed Helper's book, which was aimed at 
Mr. Sherman. General Clark is a grand nephew of Governor James Clark, 
of Kentucky, and Christopher Clark, of \'irginia, a Representative during 
Jefferson's jiresidency. His three interesting daughters, Augusta, Kate and 



202 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

Mariana, the latter to be a debutante next season, preside over his household, 
their mother, who was Miss Buckner, of Kentucky, being deceased. One 
son, Charles B. Clark, resides in New Mexico; and another, E. Buckner Clark, 
is connected with the United States Geological Survey. 

At the head of the list of Assistant Secretaries of executive departments, is 
Governor James D. Porter, of Tennessee. Before his selection by Secretary 
Bayard, to take charge of the important details affecting the personnel of the 
diplomatic and consular service, he had been judge legislator, member of 
the Constitutional Convention, Vice President of the Historical Society of Ten- 
nessee, one of the Peabody Board of Trustees, Governor of his State, President 
of the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad. He is a descendant of John Por- 
ter, a settler on the Connecticut river soon after the landing of the Pilgrims, 
and the first of the name in the United States. The family successively re- 
moved to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, and finally into Tennessee, 
■where they have lived for several generations. Mrs. Porter, who is very 
popular in Washington, was Miss Sua Dunlap, daughter of General John H. 
Dunlaj), of West Tennessee, an early pioneer and distinguished soldier of the 
Florida war, in which he commanded a company of Tennesseeans at nineteen 
years of age, and later was a brigadier general. She is a niece of General 
Richard G. Dunlap, minister of the Republic of Texas to the United States 
during the presidency of Mirabo B. Lamar, a relative of the Secretary of the 
Interior, also a niece of Judge W. C. Dunlap, of Memphis, former represent- 
ative and judge, and of Hugh W. Dunlap, of Louisiana. Her daughter is 
the wife of Dr. W. G. Bibb, of Montgomery, Alabama. Her son Charles D. 
Porter, is a lawyer of Nashville. Dudley Porter is a farmer near Paris, Ten- 
nessee, and Kennedy Porter is a young man at school. 

Alvey A. Adee, of New York, who is the Second Assistant Secretary of State, 
is thoroughly posted in diplomatic matters. He was Secretary of Legation, 
and Charg^ d'Affaires in Spain during the missions of General Sickles and 
ex-Attorney General Cushing. During his eight years residence at the 
Castiliian court, he W'as a spectator of the usual panorama of Spanish politics, 
which embraced the outbreak of four revolutions, the elevation and downfall 
of two kings, five presidents of the Republic, and tliirty-nine prime ministers. 
Assistant Secretary Adee being a bachelor, the social affairs of his household are 
attended to by Mrs, David Graham Adee, his brother's wife, a daughter of 
Rufus Skeels, a prominent citizen of Newburg, New York. 

John Bassett Moore, of Wilmington, belongs to one of the old famlies of 
Kent county, Delaware. He is a son of Dr. J. A. Moore, a prominent phy- 
sician of Felton. Mr, Moore is a man of fine legal attainments, a bachelor, 
and in great demand socially. 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OF OFFICIAL PREDEDENCE. 203 

Governor Hugh S. Thompson was occupying the gubernatorial cliair of 
South Carolina for the second time when invited by the I'resident to accept 
the post of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. He had previously been 
State Superintentknt of Education for three terms. His grandfather was 
Chancellor of South Carolina, and his uncle, General Waddy Thompson, was 
prominently known in Congressional affairs and Whig politics, and was Min- 
ister to Mexico. Mrs. Thompson was Lize Clarkson, of one of the historical 
families of the Palmetto State, and in Washington society has taken a promi- 
nent part. 

Isaac H. Maynard, who was raised from Second Comptroller to Assistant 
Secretary upon the elevation of Mr. Fairchild to the chief place in the De- 
partment of the Treasury, is a native of Bovina, New York, situated among 
the headwaters of the Delaware river. He was Deputy Attorney General of 
his State when placed at the head of one of the Comptroller's bureaus in 
1885. In the intricate duties of deciding questions of law under the revenue 
statutes he has manifested soundness of judgment upon the profound economic 
questions involved. Mrs. Maynard, a very pleasant lady in society, was 
Margaret M. Marvin, of Delhi, New York, daughter of Charles Marvin, 
president of the Delaware National I5ank. Her daughter, Fanny, is still young. 

The direction of the great army of thirty thousand postmasters and double 
that number of other emj)loj6s of the postal service is under Adlai I'^. Steven- 
son, of Illinois. He is a gentleman of polished manners, affable and ap- 
proachable. He represented one of the Illinois districts in the Forty-fourth 
and Forty-sixth Congresses, and was then one of the men of mark on the 
Democratic side of the House. Mrs. Stevenson was Lettie Green, daughter 
of Rev. Lewis W. Green, president of Centre college, at Danville, Kentucky. 
Her hushiand here received his education, and was a classmate of Senator 
Blackburn, 

A. Leo Knott, of Maryland, Second Assistant Postmaster General, had 
been States attorney three terms, legislator twelve years, and the Maryland 
member of the Democratic National Executive Committee four years when 
called to the assistance of the Postmaster General in managing the contracts 
for the transportation of the people's letters. Mrs. Knott, who was Virginia 
Keenan, is the daughter of Anthony Keenan, one of the old merchants of 
Baltimore She has made herself very popular in Washington society. 

Henry R. Harris, who was a Representative in three Congresses, beginning . 
with the Forty-fourth and again in the f^orty-ninth, entered the Third Assist- 
ant Postmaster Generalship immediately after the expiration of his Congress- 
ional services. He was a memlier of the Committee on Ways and Means, and 
is a man of affairs. Mrs. Harris, a Washington Lady, was Miss Kate V. 
Moses a very attractive member of resident society. 



204 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

Henry L. Muldrow, of Mississippi, first Assistant Secretary of the Interior, 
who was a member of several Congresses, was invited into the department by 
Secretary Lamar. He is an officer of decided administrative ability, par- 
ticularly in the performance of the complicated duties growing out of the vast 
internal affairs of the nation. Mrs. Muldrow was Eliza Vick Ervin, daughter 
of James W. Ervin, a Mississippi planter. Her daughter Louise Muldrow, 
is an accomplished young lady and assists her mother in her social duties. 

David L. Hawkins, of Missouri, a lawyer of prominence, and circuit judge 
at Cape Giiardeau, performs the duties of Second Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior. Mrs. Hawkins, a lady of agreeable manners, was Miss Tippie S, 
Knott, of an old Maryland family. Her father settled in Missouri in 1834. 
Her mother was Virginia Block. Her son, Charles N. Hawkins, superin- 
tends the family estate in Scott county, Missouri. 

The Solicitor General, the second officer of the Department of Justice, is 
George A. Jenks, of Pennsylvania, a man of legal acumen and experience, and 
of leading political importance in the afTairs of his State. He is a native of 
Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, and served in Congress 1875-7. In 1880 he 
was Democratic candidate for Supreme Judge of Pennsylvania. In 1885 he 
was Assistant Secretary of the Interior, which he resigned to take charge of 
the legal business of John E. DuBois, nephew and heir of the late John Du- 
Bois, the millionaire lumberman of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In 18S6 he 
was invited to accept his present high place. Mrs. Jenks was Mary Mabon, 
daughter of Thomas Mabon, a large flouring, woolen and lumber mill owner. 
Her daughter, Miss Emma Jenks, is a graduate of the Blairsville Seminary, 
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jenks and Miss Jenks, while naturally of retiring inc'i- 
nations, fill a prominent place in social affairs. 

William A. Maury, the senior Assistant Attorney General, springs from old 
time Virginia stock. He was partner in the practice of law with James 
Mandeville Carliale, the firm being one of the most prominent in Washington, 
when he was appointed in 1882 to his present position by President Arthur. 
His father was John Walker Maury, mayor of Washington, 1852-4. The 
family is of Huguenot origin and connected wi.h the Fontaines. One cf his 
ancestors. Rev. James Maury, who was born 1717, and is hurried in Grace 
church yard, Albemarle county, Virginia, conducted one of the early grammar 
schools of the co'.ony, and educated some of the finest scholars ever produced 
l)y the " Old Dominion. " Among his pupils was Thomas Jefferson. He was 
also a party to the celebrated Parson's case, upon which Patrick Henry made 
his speech on a suit to recover tithes and which was one of the events which 
aroused the colonial blood against royal oppression. Rev. Walker Maury, 
this ancestor's son, established a school at Williamsburg, which maintained 



IV THE STATUTORY RANK OK OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 205 

the same liigh reputation. Wlien JefTerson went abroad, on the recommenda- 
tion of Mr. Madison, he jilaced his two nephews, tlic Carr's, under his tuilion. 
John Randolph, of Roanoke, was also one of his pupils. A son of James 
Maury was appointed by President Washington as Consul to Liverpool, which 
he held until turned out by President Jackson, thirty years after. The Assist- 
ant Attorney General is a cousin c>f Anne Maury, of New York, author of 
"Memoirs of Huguenot families."' 

Mrs. Maury was Elizabeth Ilerndon Maury, fourth cousin of her husband, 
and daughter of Commodore Maury, authcjr of " Physical Geography of the 
Sea," and other valuable contributions to hydrographic science. Her mother 
was sister of Captain William Lewis Ilerndon, of the United States Navy, the 
heroic commander of the merchant steamer Central America, when she 
foundered off tlie American coast. Captain Herndon was the father of Presi- 
dent Arthur's wife. 

The Assistant Attorney General for the Department of the Interior, Zach. 
Montgomery, is a man of force and experience. He is a native of Missouri, 
but crossed the plains in 1850, settling in California, where he has since re- 
sidetl, £:t first dividing his time between mining and law. He had been legis- 
lator and district attorney when called to his present place in 1885, Vjy his old 
college mate and friend. Attorney General Garland. His confirmation was 
opposed in the Senate on account of his views on the school question, which 
led to the publication of his work on "The school question from a parentaj 
and non-sectarian standpomt." Mrs. Montgomery was Ellen Evoy, daughter 
of James Evoy, one of the early settlers of Missouri. Her mother, who was 
then a widow, with her two sons and daughters, the present Mrs. Montgomery 
one o[ them, and friends braved the dangers and toils of a journey across the 
plains in 1S49, and settled in Marysville, California. Her daughters, Mary 
and Jennie, have just entered society and are very attractive. Another daughter 
is Sister Seraphica of the Roman Catholic sisterhood of St Joseph for teach- 
ing and nursing and a member of the Mother House of that order. Her 
three sons, John Montgomery is a scientist and electrician, Richard is collector 
of customs at San I)iego, on the Mexican frontier, and James is attending 
college at Georgetown. 

i'Nssistant Attorney General Robert A. Howard, on duty in the I )epartment, 
is aUo a lawyer of exi)erience. He is a native of Philadelphia, and was ap- 
pointed district attorney of the territory of Nebraska by President Buchanan 
1859. After serving in the Union army, on the close of the war he settled 
at Little Rock, Arkansas, as a lawyer, served in the Legislature 1870-1, and 
entered his jiresent duties in 1885. 

Edwin F.. Bryant, of Madison, Assistant Attorney General for llir (iener.-il 



206 SOCTETT r?f WA^ilNGTON. 

Post Office, a Wisconsin lawyer of thirty years' practice, was of the firm of 
Vilas & Bryant, the Postmaster General being the other member. Mrs. 
Bryant was Louisa Boynton, daughter of Noah Boynton, one of the early 
pioneers, and a man of influence in northern Illinois. Her three interesting 
daughters, Elva, Mary, and Myrto, add to the charms of their lather's social 
surroundings. 

The officers of the Supreme Court of the United States are not only part of 
the court circle, but are prominent in the fashionable life of the capital. The 
clerk of the court, James H. McKenney, and his beautiful wife, who was 
Virginia D. Walker, of one of the oldest families in Prince George's county, 
Maryland, entertain handsomely in their circle of friends, in the finest part 
of the city. The court reporter, J. C. Bancroft Davis, Assistant Secretary of 
State, Diplomatic Minister, and Judge of the Court of Claims, and Mrs. Davis, 
one of the most entertaining of ladies, have long been known in society. 

Colonel John G. Nicolay, marshal of the court, a German by birth, but a 
citizen of Illinois, and well known as private secretary to President Lincoln 
and author of his life, became a widower in 1 886, His daughter Helen will 
enter society and preside over the household of her father. 

Next in the scale of official and social dignities are the civil chiefs of 
bureaus, who receive their appointments from the President of the United 
States, and are confirmed by the Senate, and who, with the ladies of their 
families, participate more or less prominently in the social life of the capital. 
Those taking precedence in this degree of the social scale are the chiefs of the 
quasi-independent bureaus : Norman J. Colman, of Missouri, Commissioner 
of Agriculture ; Thomas E. Benedict, of New York, Public Printer, and 
Spencer F. Baird, of Pennsylvania, Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries 

The next in line, by Executive appointment, are the chiefs of the adminis- 
trative bureaus of the Treasury Department: James W. Hyatt, of Connec'.i- 
cut. Treasurer of the United States; William L. Trenholm, of South Carolina, 
Comptroller of the Currency; Joseph S. Miller, West Virginia, Commissioner 
of Internal Revenue; James P. Kimball, of Pennsylvania, Director of the 
Mint; Frank IVL Thorn, Superintendent of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic 
Survey; Dr. John B. Hamilton, Supervising Surgeon General; Milton J. 
Durham, of Kentucky, First, and Sigourney Butler, of Massachusetts, Second 
Comptrollers; John S. McCalmont, of Pennsylvania, Commissioner of Cus- 
toms; General William S. Rosecrans, of California, Register of the Treasury; 
J. G. Chenowith, of Texas, First; William A. Day, of Illinois, Second; 
John S. Williams, of Indiana, Third; Charles M. Shelley, of Alabama, Fourth; 
Anthony Eickhoff, of New York, Fifth, and Daniel McConnell, of Ohio, Sixth 
Auditors; M. E. Bell, of Iowa, Supervising Architect; Edward O. Graves, 



IN THE STATUTORY RANK OK OFFICIAL PRECEDENCE. 207 

of New York, Chief of Bureau of Engraving and Printing; James A. Duniont, 
of New York, Supervising Inspector General; \V. F. Switzler, i>f Missouri, 
Chief of the Bureau of Statistics, and S. T. Kimball, General Superintendent 
Life Saving Service. 

The chiefs of the great administrative bureaus of the Department of the 
Interior are William A. J. Sparks, of Illinois, Commissioner of the General 
Land Office; Benton J. Hall, of Iowa, Commissioner of Patents; General 
John C. Black, of Illinois, Commissioner of Pensions; J. D. C. Atkins, of 
Tennessee, Commissioner of Indian Aflfairs; Nathaniel H. R. Dawson, of 
Alabama, Commissioner of Education; General Joseph E. Johnston, of Vir- 
ginia, Commissioner of Railroads; Major John W. Powell, Director of the 
Geological Survey; Carroll D. Wright, of Massachusetts, Commissioner of 
Labor. These officials, with the ladies of their families, constitute an impor- 
tant circle in the sphere of official social life. 

The bureau chiefs of the Department of War are detailed officers of suit- 
able rank from the staff departments of the army. The chiefs of the great 
administrative bureaus of the Department of the Navy are officers of the navy, 
the chief having the relative rank of commodore. In both instances the offi- 
cers enjoy, with their ladies, the precedence of their military or naval rank. 

In the State and Post Office Departments the three assistants represent the 
bureau administration. 

The Civil Commissioners of the District of Columbia, William B. Webb, 
president, and Samuel E. Wheatley, of the District; the Chief Justice, Edward 
F. Bingham, of Ohio; Associate Justices Alexander B. Hagner, Waller S. 
Cox, Charles P. James, and William Merrick, of the District of Columbia, 
and Martin V. Montgomery, of Michigan, and Justice Arthur Mc.Vrthur, re- 
tired, with their ladies, represent the municipal government and judiciary in 
the social world of the capital. 



2o8 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

The Washington Correspondents. 

Who they are — the ladies of their families — their place in so- 
ciety — the city press. 



fN the busy world of the capital, the Washington correspondent occupies 
a two fold place. Professionally upon the merits of his own individual- 
ity, integrity of character, sagacity and prudence in the use of his 
opportunities and information, he has the entree of all official circles, and more 
or less freedom of intercourse with public men of all degrees. Socially, with 
the ladies of his family, he occupies a position in fashionable or home life to 
suit his domestic surroundings, tastes, or inclinations. His personal relations, 
which are of his own creation, are often of the closest and most confidential 
character with officials from the highest to the lowest place in public station. 
The scope of his acquaintance with men of affairs is national. Those who 
have enjoyed greater length of service and experience, cover a period beyond 
the narrow span of the average longevity of a single generation of official life. 
Men of eminence and merit have come into prominence, have played their 
parts and have given place to others in the mutations of American politicsand 
public duty. The Washington correspondents alone remain as landmarks in 
the procession of men and events in national affairs and social life at the 
capital. 

President Cleveland was the first of the chief magistrates to recognize the 
Washington correspondents as a class in the list of invited guests to the state 
levees at the executive mansion. Previously their social recognition there was 
personal rather than professional. Individually in society they receive consid- 
eration without reference to the usual conventionalities of rank and surround- 
ings which govern the intercourse of persons of simple official and social station. 
Many of them enter more or less prominently into the official and unofficial 
social life of the capital, live handsomely, and give social entertainments. 

Taken in the chronological order of service at Washington, William B. 
Shaw, of the Boston Transcript, is "the Nestor" of the corps of Washing- 
ton correspondents. He started in life as a printer, at Towanda, Pennsylva- 
nia. With his brother he published a newspaper edited by David Wilmot, 
distinguished in the anti-slavery struggles in Congress as the author of the 
W^ilmot proviso. He came to Washington in 1S50 and began at the case in 
the Government printing office, and writing letters for Forney's Pennsylvanian. 
At the commencement of Pierce's administration he was engaged by James 
Gordon Bennett as Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT?. 209 

which position he held for ten years. During that time, 1852, he sent to the 
//c-rrt/i/ the first telegraphic news despatches ever sent from the capital. He 
enjoyed confidential relations with the statesmen of that period without regard 
to sections or politics. He has ever since been an active correspondent, having 
represented the Boston Transcript for twenty-six years. He is recognized as 
one of the most experienced and sagacious members of the profession. 

Mrs. Shaw, a native of Washington, mariied in 1858, has long been well 
known in a large circle in official and social life. She is the daughter of Ed- 
mund Burke, of Boston, an editor of high reputation in his day. 

H. V. Boynton, of the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, one of the widely 
known Washington correspondents, a native of Berkshire, Massachusetts, is 
a son of Rev. Charles C. Boynton, during the Speakership of Schuyler Colfax 
chaplain of the House of Representatives. After a military education in 
Kentucky, and serving in the college faculty, Mr. Boynton entered the ser- 
vice as major Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, rising to Lieutenant Colonel in 
1864. When mustered out he went into the field as correspondent of the 
Cincinnati Gazette, and came to Washington in 1865 to take charge of that 
bureau. Mrs. Boynton was Helen .\ugusta Mason, daughter of T. B. Mason, 
of Cincinnati, and niece of Lowell Mason, the celebrated composer of church 
music. 

The author, who is a native of Pennsylvania, began journalism in i860, 
writing for newspapers from Harrisburg. In 1862 he was sent by the N^eiv 
York Herald \o the headquarters of General Grant, in West Tennessee, and 
accompanied that officer as correspondent in all his campaigns, terminating in 
the surrender of Vicksburg. In July, 1863, he was sent to Washington, but 
after a few weeks was again ordered into the field. He was on editorial duty 
in the winter of 1864-5, dividing his time between New York and Washing- 
ton, when he was sent as correspondent to Europe, Egypt, Suez canal, Afri- 
can coast, India, Ceylon, Australia, Van Dieman's Land, and New Zealand. 
In 1866 returning to Washington, he remained until the winter of 1868, when 
he was with General Sheridan in his winter campaign against the southern 
Indians. In 1869 he was again on foreign service, "writingup" SanDomingo, 
w ith a view to annexation, and visiting the isles of the Antillies. Returning 
to Washington in 1870, he was commissioned by President Grant to investigate 
the consulates of the United States Returning to Washington December, 
1872, he has remained there since, representing at different times leading 
metropolitan journals east and west Mrs. Keim was Jennie A. Owen, 
daughter of CJalusha Owen, of Hartford, Connecticut, of Welsh extraction 
on her father's side, and on her mother's side descended from \\'illiam Dem- 
son, a settler of Roxbury, .Massachusetts, 1631, who returned ti> England, 



2IO SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

was captain under the Protector Cromwell, at the battle of Naseby, where he 
was wounded, and returning to America, having married Lady Anne Borradell, 
who nursed him during his wounds, settled at Stonington, Connecticut, and 
became distinguished in colonial affairs. Mrs. Keim has two daughters enter- 
ing their teens, Elizabeth Randolph and Harriet Virginia Keim. 

James R. Young, of the Philadelphia Evening Star, who took his primary 
lessons in journalism under John W. Forney, came to Washington in 1866, 
as chief correspondent of the New York Tribune. In 1870 he was one of 
the founders of the Philadelphia Evening Star, which he has always repre- 
sented. He is also Chief Executive Clerk U. S. Senate. Mrs. Young was 
Mary Barclay, daughter of John M. Barclay, Journal Clerk of the House of 
Representatives, 1847-74, having been elected the year Abraham Lincoln en- 
tered that body, and author of Barclay's Parliamentary Digest. 

Littleton Quinton Washington, of the Ne-u Orleans Picayune, a son of 
Lund Washington, an early resident of Washington city, and an accountant 
in the U. S. Treasury, is a direct descendant of Lawrence Washington, 
brother of John Washington, the ancestor of General George Washington, 
Mr. Washington, while a clerk in the Treasury department, wrote voluntary con- 
tributions for the Washington Union, the Democratic organ. In 1855-7 he 
was deputy collector of customs at San Francisco. In 1858 he became cor- 
respondent of the Richmond Examiner, over the signature "Ariel." In 1860-1 
he acted in concert with the southern leaders, and upon secession went South 
and entered the army. In 1867 he returned to Washington. His "Notes 
at the Capitol," for the National Intelligencer, were widely copied. He also 
continued his correspondence for the London Telegraph. He has represented 
the Picayune for many years. He has a large acquaintance with public men, 
and is well posted on the inside of political movements of nearly three decades. 

David Ritchie McKee, the agent of the Associated Press, a native of West 
Virginia, and a Californian by education, began active journalism in Washing- 
ton in 1867, as assistant on the Associated Press, and as correspondent of 
Pacific coast newspapers. He is a grandson of John McKee, founder of 
McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Mrs. McKee is a daughter of Judge Advocate 
General W. McKee Dunn, U. S. A. Her maternal grandfather was J. F. D. 
Lanier, the distinguished banker and financier of New York. Sidney Lanier, 
the poet, is a relative in the southern branch. Mr. and Mrs. McKee live 
elegantly, and take part in the fashionable life of the "West End." 

Frank A. Richardson, after a preliminary experience in Baltimore journal- 
ism, came to Washington about 1867, representing the Baltimore Associated 
Press, and later took charge of the Baltimore Sun bureau. 

William C. McBride, who served in the celebrated "Round-head" regi- 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS. 211 

ment of Pennsylvania in the war, entered journalism in Chicago in 1868, came 
to Washington 1S69, as city editor on Forney's Chronicle, in 1874 he was on the 
Star, and in 1876 took charge of the Washington bureau of the Cincinnati 
Enquirer. Mrs. McBride was Ella Davidson, daughter of Daniel Davidson, 
one of the early families of Washington. Their daughter, Lillian, a grad- 
uate of the Washington high school, 1887, will soon enter society. Another 
daughter, Jessie, is in her teens. 

Jacob J. Noah, of the Chicago Hi raid, and Denver Tribune-Republican, is 
a native of New York, and son of Mordecai M. Noah, a Washington corre- 
spondent of 1829, and for nearly fifty years one of the most distinguished 
American journalists. He came to Washington in 1869 as representative of 
the iWrc York Democrat, and has since represented at different times some of the 
leading papers of the Union. Mrs. Noah was Eliza 13. Skillman, of Baton 
Rouge, Louisiana, grand-daughter of Alexander Sterling, alcalde of that 
place under Spanisli rule. Her mother, Anna Stirling, was at school in New 
Orleans when General Jackson fought the battle of New Orleans, January, 
1815, three of her brothers being in that conflict. 

Herbert A. Preston, of the New York Herald, a native of Massachusetts, 
having learned the art of printing, in 1861 being in Cincinnati, joined the 
Second, loyal, Kentucky volunteers, of which he became quartermaster. In 
1866, from service on the Cincinnati Enquirer, \\e cd^mc to Washington on the 
city press, and in 1870 became Washington correspondent of the Ntw York 
Herald. Mrs. Preston was Annie E. McNabb, of Baltimore, whose reputa- 
tion as a writer was well established in her newspaper letters over the sou- 
bri<iuet "Leigh Howard." 

E. B. Wight, of the Chicago Inter-Ocean, a native of Massachusetts, edu- 
cated for the bar, entered active journalism in Chicago in 1867, and came to 
Washington in charge of the Chicago Ttibune, in 1S70, which post he filled 
with great efficiency for sixteen years. Mrs. Wight is a daughter of Colonel 
W, W. C'lai^p, managing owner of the Boston Journal. She is a lady of high 
education and intellectual gifts. 

Edmund Hudson, of tlie Boston Herald, a native of Massachusetts, began 
active life as a reporter on the ^^j&« y(?«/:«(7/ in 1868, and in 1872 came to 
Washington to represent the Boston Herald. He is one of the biight writers 
of the corps of Washington correspondents. In 1883 he married Mary Clem- 
mcr, now deceased, one of the best known lady correspondents and author of 
"Poems of Life and Nature," ami several popular novels and other works. 

T. C. Crawford, a native of .Michigan, represents the Xeiu York World. 
The St. Louis Journal ^cni him to Washington in 1872. Mrs. Cr.iwford was 
Inez Joyce, daughter of a \'ermont Representative in Congress, and a lady 
widely known in society and charitable work. 



212 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

John M. Carson, of tlie Philadelphia Ledger, began his career as a local 
reporter on Forney's Pennsylvanian, entered the Twenty-seventh Pennsyl- 
vania volunteers in 1861 as lieutenant, and rose to captain. After the war he 
resumed journalism, in i!^73, coming to Washington as editor of the iVational 
Republican, A year later he became assistant, and soon after chief of the 
New York Times bureau, which he resigned in 1S84, retaining his connection 
■with the Ledger. Mrs. Carson was Annie Lavinia Miller, daugliter of John 
J. Miller, one of the prominent citizens of Philadelphia. Their daughter, Ade- 
laide Virginia, now in her teens, displays remarkable talent for music and 
drawing. John Miller Carson, Jr., a graduate of West Point, is a soldierly 
looking lieutenant in the Fifth Cavalry. 

Major Selden N. Clark, of the New York Tribune, a native of New York, 
enlisted when a boy in the Twelfth Wisconsin volunteers, and was later 
lieutenant Sixty-fourth United States Colored Troops. He was breveted 
major for services. In 1874 he came to Washington and 1878 became cor- 
respondent of the Tribune. Mrs. Clark was Mary Coats, daughter of a 
planter of Prince George county, Virginia. 

Peter V. DeGraw, manager of the United Press, began life as a telegraph 
operator, becoming one of the most rapid manipulators of the key in the 
United States. In 1875 he operated the leased wires of the Associated Press, 
and a year later became one of the reportorial staff. He was agent of the 
Western Associated Press until re-consolidated, and in 1884 assumed his 
present duties. Mrs. DeGraw was Emma L. Doerr, daughter of Henry 
Doerr, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia. She is a lady of very attractive 
manners. 

Charles Nordhoff, editorial correspondent of the Xru) York LTerald, after a 
literary career of prominence in California and New York, in 1876 came to 
Washington in charge of the Herald bureau. Mrs. Nordhoff and her two 
attractive daughters take a prominent part in the society life of the capital, 
and entertain handsomely. 

H. B. Macfarland, of the Philadelphia Record, a son of the late Joseph 
Macfarland, one of the prominent Washington correspondents during and 
after the war, entered Washington journalism in 1879, as assistant on the 
Boston Llerald, which he still combines with his duties on the Record. 

Jules Guthridge, of the Ne'co York Herald staff, is one of the courtly 
younger members of the correspondent corps. He is a grandson of the first 
Baptist minister to locaie in Ohio, and was designed by his parents for the 
Baptist ministry. In 1864, at thirteen, he ran away from school, joining 
an Ohio regiment as drummer boy, and went through a four months cam- 
paign in Virginia. He studied telegraphy, and was the alternate of Thomas 



THE WASHINGTON CORRESPO>'DENTS. 213 

A Edison, the famous electrician, in receiving Associated Press despatches at 
Cincinnati. He became a reporter on the Cincinnati Gazette, and in 1880 
came to Washington, since representing influential journals East and West. 
Mrs. Guthridge was Anna Sterling, daughter of the late Dr. Sterling, an 
early physician of jironiinence at Washington. She is a lady of modest and 
engaging manners, and interested in social affairs. 

E. G. Bunnell, of the Xei.i< York Times, began newspaper life as a roller 
boy on a country paper, and reached the prominence of Albany correspondent 
in 1878, and Washington correspondent 1881. Mrs. Bunnell was Marie C. 
Fisli, daughter of Oscar Fish, of New London, Connecticut. 

George E. Gilliland, of the Cincinnati Enquirer, began service as a tele- 
graph operator in the home office. He organized the news bureau of local 
correspondence in Indiana during the labor strikes in 1877, and came to 
Washington in 1881. Mrs. Gilliland was Aileen Buskirk, daughter of A. W. 
Buskirk, of Portsmouth, Ohio. 

Charles F. Towle, of the Boston Traveller, who was transferred from Bos- 
ton to Washington journalism in 1881, is not only a bright writer, but a hu- 
morous conversationalist. Mrs. Towle is a very stylish and attractive lady 
from Boston. 

Fred. Perry Powers fjegan his career on the SpringHelJ {"Slass.) Republican, 
in 1872. After service in Boston, in 1S76 he went to Chicago. lie there had 
four years' experience on the reportorial corps, and two years on the editorial 
staff, when in 1882 he came to Washington to take charge of the Washington 
bureau of the Chicago Times. Mrs. Powers was Ella X. Bavis, daughter of 
Lucius B. Bavis, proprietor of the Newport {K. \.) Xe-u<s, one of the oldest 
journals in the United States. 

Robert M. Earner, of the Baltimore Sun, began reportorial work on the 
city press in 1877, and in 1882 became a member of the Washington staff of 
the Baltimore Stin. Since 1885, he has also represented the Charleston A'i.t'j 
anJ Courier. His mother, for a number of years, wrote Washington letters 
to the " Mothers' Journal," published in Boston about twenty years ago. 

M. G. Seckendorff, of the New York Tribune, Ijelongs to a German family 
of distinction. He came to Washington as one of the Tribune siaii \\\ 1882. 
Mrs. Seckendorff is a pleasant member of the ladies of the circle of corre- 
spondents. 

Orlando Oscar Stealty, a native of Jcffersonville, Indiana, began life in a 
printing office, and made liis first hit as a journalist in an account of the battle 
of Nashville, which secured him a position on the Louisville Courier. He 
had charge of the city department of the Courier for a year, when in 1883 
he was placed in charge of the Washington bureau. Mrs. Stealey, a lady of 
fine social traits, was Lollie .Sherley, daughter of John Sherley, of Texas. 



214 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

George Martin, of the Philadelphia Press, a native of Western Pennsylva- 
nia, entered journalism as a "local," and later as a letter writer from New 
York for the Pittsburg C^w«/r/^- 7>/<'_j,'-ra///, i879-'8o. After a visit to Eu- 
rope in i88i he settled in Chicago on the News, and in 1883 came to Wash- 
ington, in his present place. 

Charles S. Elliott, a native of Connecticut, who began life as a journalist 
on the Ncci) Haven Palladium, in 1879 was on the Parisian, of Paris, France, 
and in 1884 came to Washington as correspondent of the Commercial Adver- 
tiser, and other influential journals. 

Frank G. Carpenter, of the American Press Association, entered journalism 
a few years ago as correspondent of tlie Cleveland Leader, his letters over the 
signature of "Carp" attracting attention. Mrs. Carpenter, who is from 
Mansfield, Ohio, is a lady of fine intellect and extensive information. 

Charles W. Knapp, of the Missouri Republican, after a university course, 
read law, as a preparation for journalism, which he began in 1867. His father, 
John Knapp, is the largest stockholder in the Republican. Mr. Knapp, who 
also holds a large block of stock, passed several winters on duty in Washing- 
ton before taking charge of the bureau, in 1885. Mrs. Knapp is a daughter 
of R. C. Shackelford, of St. Louis, and grand-daughter of Robert Trimble, 
cf Kentucky, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1826-8. 

Richard Nixon, of the New Orleans Times Democrat, from an editorial 
writer in the home office, came to Washington to represent that paper in 1886. 
The marriage of Agnes Dolph, daughter of the senior Senator from Oregon, 
to Mr. Nixon, was one of the brilliant social events of the year. As Miss 
Dolph, she was one of the belles of the season. She received the highest 
education, and passed some months traveling in Europe. 

Some of the other members of the corps are A. W. Lyman, of the 
New York Sun, who after serving in the home office, was sent to Wash- 
ington; John S. Schriver, of the Baltimore American, who beginning as 
dramatic critic, has more recently displayed great activity in the ranks of the 
Washington specials; Charles ^L Pepper, of the Chicago Tribune; Walter 
B. Stevens, of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; Richard Weightman, New 
York Star, an able editorial writer, grandson of Richard Weightman, mayor 
of Washington, 1824; Dr. Frank T. Howe, Pittsburg Commercial-Gazette, 
after a connection with the local press, became associated with the Board of 
Public Works as its secretary, until aljolished, when he returned to journal- 
ism, and H. W. Spofford, of the Fort Worth, (Texas,) Gazette, son of Ains- 
worth R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress, engaged in special work for news- 
papers, and magazines. Mrs. SpofiTord was Edith F. SafTord, daughter of 
Judge William H. Safford, a lawyer of Chillicothe, formerly a member of the 



THE WASHINGTOX CORRESPONDENTS. 215 

Ohio Legislature, and author of tlie Blennerhasset papers. She has fine lit- 
erary talent. 

The city press of Washington has in its editorial management gentlemen 
who, with their ladies, fill an important place in the social life cf the ca])ital. 

Crosby S. Noyes, editor of the Evening Star, is a native of Maine, and 
came to Washington in 1851 as correspondent of New England newspapers. 
In 1853 he visited Europe, making a pedestrian tour of the continent, and 
writing letters for Boston and Portland newspapers, which attracted wide at- 
tention in the United States. In 1S55 ^*^ became assistant editor of the Wash- 
ington Evening Star. In 1867 he was one of a syndicate to purchase the pa- 
per, and became its editor. Mrs. Noyes was Elizabeth S. Williams, of 
Maine. She was married in 1856, and since has participated in the social life 
of Washington, through the transition periods of the administrations of Bu- 
chanan, Lincoln, and Grant, to the present time. Her accomplished daughter, 
Maud, is in society. .A younger daughter, Mila, is finishing her education. 
Her son Theodore W. Noyes, after several years' service, 1S77-80, as assist- 
ant to his father in the editorial management of the Star, resided in Dakotah 
for his health. In 1886 he resunned his editorial service. Mrs. Theodore 
Noyes was Mary Prentice, of Le Roy, New York, a very accomplished lady. 
Another son, Frank Brett Noyes, in 1877 entered the business office of the 
Star, and in 1886 was elected treasurer of the company. A younger son, 
Thomas, is a student at Princeton College. 

Ira N. Buriilt, of the Sunday J/eraM, a native of Pennsylvania, a v riter on 
the Montrose (F'a. ) Kepublican, at the outbreak of the war. after serving in 
the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania infantry as captain, in all the battles, from the 
second Bull Run to Gettysburg, and having Vjeen wounded at Gettysburg, the 
Wilderness, and before Petersburg, at the expiration of his term of service, in 
November, 1864, went to the front as correspondent, and wrote the account of 
the battle of Five Forks for the Cincinuaii Commenial. He continued as a 
correspondent till 1868, when he became proprietor of the Washington Sun- 
day Herald. Mrs. Burritt, who is very handsome, was Elizabeth Nicholson, 
daughter of Major Augustus Nicholson, and sister of the present Major Au- 
gustus Nicholson, marine corps, and grand-daughter of Daniel Carroll, of 
Duddington, former owner of the land which the capitol and south east 
Washington now occupy. Her mother was Sallie Carroll, well known in the 
early society of the capital. Their daugliter, Effie .\. Burritt, will enter socie- 
ty next year. 

S. H. Kauflman, president of the Evining Star Company, came to Wash- 
ington in 1861, with .Secretary Chase, and filled an important pl.ice in the 
Treasury Department until 1867, when he became one >if the purchasers of 



2l6 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

the Evening Star. He is president of the Washington Art Club, trustee of 
the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and one of the managers of the Cosmos Club. 
Mrs. Kauffmann was Sarah Clark Fracker, of Zanesville, daughter of one of 
the early iron manufacturers of Ohio. Their daughter, Louise, has just com- 
pleted her education, and will soon enter society. Their elder son, Rudolph, 
is one of the active members of the reportorial staff of the Star. His wife 
was Jessie Kennedy, of Washington, daughter of a former sheriff of Chatau- 
qua county, New York. A younger son, Victor, is a student at Princeton. 

Stillson Ilutchins, of the Washington Post, is a politician as well as a jour- 
nalist. He came to W'ashington and founded the Post when the prospects of 
the Democracy returning to the front once more began to take shape in in- 
creasing strength and control in Congress. 

E. W. Fox, of the A-ational Republican, who came to Washington from 
Missouri, is an active partisan in support of the interests of the Rei:)ub]ican 
minority. He has an interesting family. 

Hallet Kilbourn, of the Evening Critic, has long been identified with Wash- 
ington interests. Mrs. Kilbourn and her two daughters are well known in 
Washington society. 

Thomas G. Morrow, of the Sunday Gazette^ a native of Ohio, is the son of 
an early Methodist preacher of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He 
enlisted, 1861, as a private in the Fifth Ohio Infantry under the first call for 
volunteers, serving four years. He was promoted to captain. In 1S61 he 
purchased the Gazette, Mrs. Morrow was Imogene Chisham, daughter of 
John Chisham, of Lexington, Kentucky. William F. Morrow, assists his 
father in the management of his journal. 

Edmund Hudson, who conducts the Sunday Capital, is one of the active 
Washington correspondents. 




UNOFFICIAL SOCIETY. 217 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
Unofficial Society. 

Its INCREASING INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE— DRAVVINC, THE LINES — 
THK REPRESENTATIVE CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON FASHIONABLE LIFE 
— ITS PERSONNEL TO BE CONSIDERED. 

vAc I^'^IEf decade ago the official society of the capital was paramount. 



1 



J^A* The prestige of rank carried everytiiing before it in tlie social world. 
^^^d<LT> Persons in public life, socially unknown or unrecognized at home, 
were courted and humored by a toadying floating population, drawn hither 
by the oppDrtunities afforded by official entertainments for a season of social 
dissipation. 

The most notable feature of the social life of the capital of more recent years 
has been the growth, influence, and importance of the unofficial element. The 
seat of government has become the winter residence of-men of culture, leisure, 
and means, with their families, from all parts of the country. The beautifying 
of the city gives it attractions unequaled by any city in the United States. 
Its places of public interest give it preeminence in its educational influences. 
Its social life possesses exceptional facinations on account of its diversity. 

The advantage of the private social life of Washington is the select and dis- 
tinguished character of its personnel Freed from the necessity of catering 
to jiolitical sentiments or notoriety, it can confine its guests to persons of 
congenial tastes and opinions. The prestige of rank has therefore very ma- 
terially diminished as a passport to polite recognition. Prominence in states- 
manship, learning, or the possession of some other claim to consideration, is 
of more importance. 

The eff'ect of this drawing in of the lines will be to cut off the voracious, of- 
ficious, and obtrusive social strikers, male and female, who have fa'tened on 
fashionable luncheons, and put on airs on the strength of the open houses of 
the officials. It will also relieve the refined and cultivated circles of private 
life in Washington from the scandals which have been retailed through the 
press about practices not common to well-ordered society elsewhere. 

In a future volume the personnel of the unofficial social life of the capital, 
with the cooperation of its distinguished menil)ers, will receive that full atten- 
tion which it deserves, and which would be impracticaljje here The repre- 
sentative character of Washington fashional)le life in all that is distingui>hcd, 
discreet, and cultivated will be seen, and the o[)inion hitherto exi)resse(l, that 
the social life of the capital is a reflex of the higher social life of tlie nation 
will be amply demonstrated. 



2lS SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

Some Notable Social Events. 
State levees, official dining, social drawing-rooms, and luncheons 

AT THE executive MANSION — THE BANQUET TO THE QUEEN OF HAWAII 
— CABINET ENTERTAINMENTS — THE CHRISTENING OF DOROTHY PAYNE 
WHITNEY — SUPREME COURT — DIPLOMATIC BALLS — CONGRESSIONAL GAY- 
ETIES — ARMY AND NAVY GERMANS — CLUB RECEPTIONS — FASHIONABLE DI- 
VERSIONS. 

tROM the days of John Adams, the first chief magistrate to take posses- 
sion of the Executi\e Mansion, down to its present occupant, the 
President's Reception on New Year's day has inaugurated the gayeties 
of the fashionable season in official and social life at the national cipital. The 
New Year's Reception of 1887 was invested with increased interest, apart from 
its official and ceremonial significance, as it signalized the first appearance of 
Mrs. Cleveland as the head of the social regime of the Executive household. 
The state parlors, east room, and promenade corridor were profusely dec- 
orated with flowering, foliage and tropical plants ; the curtaiiis were drawn 
and the great crystal chandeliers diffused a sparkling light over the brilliant 
scene. At half past ten o'clock the ladies who composed the receiving parly 
joined Mrs. Cleveland in the library, on the second floor. A few minutes 
before eleven o'clock the Marine Band, in the vestibule, struck up " Hail to 
the Chief." Simultaneously the party descended by the private stairway, 
Col. John M. Wilson, U. S. Engineers, in full uniform, leading the way, fol- 
lowed by the President with Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Cleveland with the Secre- 
tary of State, Mrs. Endicott with the Secretary of the Treasury, and Mrs. 
Vilas with the Secretary of War. Entering the audience parlor from the 
main corridor, the President and Mrs. Cleveland took their places and received 
the New Year's congratulations of the members of the Cabinet, their wives 
and daughters. 

The receiving ladies, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Endicott, and Mrs. Vilas, having 
taken their places on the right of Mrs. Cleveland, who stood next to the Pres- 
ident, the members of the Diplomatic Corps, in court dress, assembled in 
the red parlor, entered the audience parlor, the Secretary of Stite and the 
Dean of the Corps at their head, and extended the compliments of the season. 
Then followed in the order prescribed by the official programme the members 
of the Judiciary, Senators and Representatives, Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia, judicial officers of the District, ex-members of the Cabinet, ex- 
Diplomatic Ministers of the United States, the officers of the army and navy. 



SOAfE NOTABLE StJCIAL EVENTS. 219 

officials, certain civic associations ami the public, until two, p. m. The presenta- 
lions to the President were made by Colonel J. M. Wilson, U. S. Engineers, 
and to Mrs. Cleveland by Lieutenant William P. Duval, Fourth artillery. 

The first drawing-room of the season was given by Mrs. Cleveland on 
Saturday, January 8, from three to five o'clock, assisted by Mrs. Manning, 
Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, and Miss Mary Hastings, the President's niece. 
The eager throng of callers, was so great that it was very nearly six o'clock 
before the doors were closed, it being estimated that four thousand persons, 
mostly ladies, jiassed through the audience parlor. The presentations were 
made by Surgei)n Robert M. O'Reiley, U. S. A., and Lieutenant Duval. 

The life of Mrs. Clevelanil in the Executive Mansion during her first season 
presented a charming picture of the direction of her tastes and inclinations. 
Instead (jf being over-awed and repressed by the conventionalities of her ex- 
alted position, she followed within the range of the rigid code of etiquette of 
the President's household her youtliful womanly fondness for persons nearer 
her own age. This was happily illustrated in her first luncheon, given on 
Wednesday, January I2, at 1.30, p. m., in the family dining-room. The 
guests were: Misses Msry Manning, Mary C. Endicott, Nellie Vilas, and 
Jennie Lamar, the Cabinet young ladies; Miss C. E. Sears, a niece of Secre- 
tary Endicott ; Miss Nannie Waite, daughter of the Chief Justice of the United 
States; Miss Susanne Bancroft, grand-daughter of the historian; Miss Hattie 
Banks, daughter of Bleeker Banks, of Alljany ; Misses Loulie Eustis, a niece, 
and Marie Eustis, daughter of Louisana's Senior Senator ; Miss Mary Wil- 
son, daughter of the marshal .of the District of Columbia, and Miss Holly- 
day, of Miryland, her guest; Miss Green and her sister Isabelle Green, 
daughters of New Jersey's late Representative and new Governor; Miss 
Louisa Rucker, daughter of the retired Quartermaster General; Miss Lena 
Porter, daughter of the .\dmiral; Misses Mary Sherman, Mary Cameron, 
Mary Evarts, and Corinne Blackburn, daughters of Senators; Miss McCul- 
loch, daughter of an ex-Secretary of the Treasury; Miss Anne Randall, 
daughter of ex-Speaker Randall; Miss Mary Sears, of Binghamton, a school 
friend of Mrs. Cleveland; Miss Camille Bergmans, daughter of Mrs. Macal- 
ister Laughton; Miss Laura Randolph Tucker, daughter of Representative 
Tucker, of Virginia; Miss Hoyne, of Chicago, a guest of Miss Vilas; Miss 
Cora Churchill, sister of Mrs. Senator Miller; Miss Mary Hastings, niece of 
the I'rcMdcnt, and Miss Walker, of Virginia, a guest of Miss Vilas. 

The young ladies were in street costume. 

The next event in the roll of stale gayeties was the President's reception 
to the Diplomatic Corps, Thursday evening, January 13, from nine to eleven 
o'clock, assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Manning, and .Mrs. Vilas. The 



220 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

presentations were made by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant Duval. The 
occasion, in addition to the guests of the evening, brought together a large 
and brilliant assemblage of the higher officers of the Government, civil and 
military, and their ladies. 

The first state dinner of the season given by the President to the Cabinet 
and their ladies on Thursday, January 28, 7.30, p. m., also included Senator 
and Mrs. Sherman ; the Speaker and Mrs. Carlisle; the Lieutenant General 
and Mrs. Sheridan; Senator Beck, Governor and Mrs. Lee, of Virginia; Mr. 
and Mrs. John A. Andrew, Boston ; Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild; Mrs. 
Charles W. Goodyear, and Mrs. George J. Sicard, of Buffalo; ex-U. S. Sen- 
ator Henry G. Davis and Mrs. Davis, of West Virginia; Commodore and 
Mrs. Harmony, and Mrs. August Belmont. 

The table was beautifully decorated and the menu was elaborate and ex- 
cellent. 

The second drawing room lield by Mrs. Cleveland, Saturday, January 22, 
three to five, p. m., was another great gathering of the social life of the capital. 
She was assisted by Mrs. Vilas, of the Cabinet ladies, Mrs. Goodyear and 
Mrs. Sicard, of Buffalo, and Miss Manning. The presentations were made 
by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant Duval. 

The President's reception to the Congress and the Judiciary, Thursday, 
January 27, from nine to eleven, p. m., was largely attended by a representa- 
tion of those arms of the Government and other invited guests. He was 
assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, and 
Mrs. Lamar. The presentations were made by Colonel Wilson and Lieutenant 
Duval. 

At half past seven o'clock on the evening of Thursday, February 3, tlie Pres- 
ident and Mrs. Cleveland entered the great east room, where their distin- 
guished guests of honor, the Diplomatic Representatives of the various Gov- 
ernments of the globe, were assembled. Mrs. Cleveland was dressed in a 
pale tint of blue. The President led the way towards the state dining-room, 
with Senora Romero, wife of the Mexican Minister, and the procession ended 
with Mrs. Cleveland, escorted Ijy Mr. Preston, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. 
The other guests were the remaining members of the Diplomatic Corps and 
ladies, thirty in number; the Secretary of State; George Bancroft; Mrs. Fol- 
som, Mrs Cleveland's mother; Mrs. Col. Lamont, wife of the Private Secre- 
tary; Mrs. Bleeker Banks, of Albany; Miss Natalie Sternberg, of Buffalo; 
Mrs. Virginia Kingsford, of Oswego, daughter of Thomas Kingsford, the 
great starch manufacturer; Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild and Mrs. Alfred C. 
Chapin, of New York. 

The table was beautifully decorated, the chief piece representing the hang- 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 221 

ing gardens of Semirimis. At eacli ladies' plate was a rich bouquet de corsage 
of alternating colors in roses and satin ribbons and gentlemen's boutonieres. 
Forty guests sat down. 

At her third drawing-mom, Saturday, February 5, from three to five, p. m., 
Mrs. Cleveland was assisted by Mrs, Senator Sherman, Mrs. Speaker Carlisle, 
Miss Natalie Sternberg, of BufTalo, an intimate friend from girlhood, and Miss 
Virginia Kingsford, of Oswego, Mrs. Cleveland's class and room mate at 
Wells College. The presentations were made by Col. Wilson and T.ieut. 
Huval. 

The dinner to the .Supreme Court, Thursday, February 17, at 7.30, p. m., 
closed the season of state dining. The guests were the Chief Justice of the 
United States and Associate Justices, and their ladies; Senators Edmunds 
and Mrs. Edmunds, McMillan and Mrs. McMillan, Evarts and Mrs Evarts, 
Vest and Mrs. Vest; Representative and Mrs. Collins, of Massachusetts; 
Mr and Mrs. John E. Devlin, and Mr. and Mrs. Frances Lynde Stetson, of 
New Vork; Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, and ex-Mayor and Mrs. (Irace, 
of New ^'ork. 

The last drawing-room was held on Saturday, February 19, three to six 
o'clock. Mrs. Cleveland was assisted by Miss Cleveland, Mrs. Folsom, Miss 
Endicott, and Miss Lamar. The presentations were made by Colonel Wilson 
and Lieutenant Duval. The throng of callers exceeded all ])revious occasions, 
the numbers which hurried througli the audience room being estimated at five 
thousand. 

The formal social gayeties of the season were closed with an elegant 
luncheon by Mrs. Cleveland on Monday, February 21, at 1.30 o'clock. Her 
guests were Miss Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, the President's si.ster; Mrs. 
Folsom, Mrs. Cleveland's mother; Miss Walcott; Miss Van Vechten, of Al- 
bany; Mrs. Bigelow Lawrence, of " Aldie," Doylestown, Pa. ; Mrs. Ralph 
Cross Johnson; Miss Mildred Lee, of Virginia, daughter of the late General 
Robert E.Lee; Mrs. Frances Hudgson Burnett; Miss Farnsworth; Mrs. 
L. Macalester Laughton; Mrs. J. C. Bancroft Davis; Miss Frelinghuysen, 
daughter of the late Premier of the Arthur administration ; Mrs. Rufus W. 
I'eckham ; Mrs. Townsend, daughter of Representative Scott, of Erie; Mrs. 
Lieutenant General Sheridan; Mrs. J. Russell Selfridge; Mrs. Judge Nott ; 
Mrs. Leiter, of Chicago; Mrs. Speaker Carlisle; Mrs. Senators Sherman, 
Butler, Cockrell, Gray, (iorman, Kenna, Miller, Payne, Hearst, Eustis, 
Walthall, \'ance, and Sabin; Mrs. Senator elect Iliscock; Miss Foote, sister- 
in-law of Senator Hawley, and Miss Dawes; Mrs. Representatives McMillan^ 
Ranilall, Gates, Morrison, and Springer; Mrs. Col. John M. Wilson, Mrs. 
A. A. Wilson, Miss Proctor, Mrs. Rev. Byron .Sunderland, wife of the pastor 



222 SOCIETY IX WASHINGTON. 

of the President's chutch; Mrs. Admiral Upshur, and Miss Ramsey, guest 
of Senator Sawyer. 

The visit of the Queen of Hawaii and suite to the American capital, May 
3-7, was the occasion of suitable ceremonial etiquette and hospitality. Her 
Majesty was received at Baltimore by the Hawaiian Minister, Mr. Carter, 
and a deputation representing the Secretary of State by Mr. Sevellon A. 
Brown, the Secretary of War by Captain D. M. Taylor, U. S. A., and the 
Secretary of the Navy by Lieutenant Rogers, U. S N , and was escorted to the 
capital. On the following day, May 4, Her Majesty and suite made a call of 
ceremony upon the President. They were received at the entrance to the 
Executive Mansion by the Secretary of State and Assistant Secretary Adee, 
and were shown into the blue parlor where the President and Mrs. Cleveland, 
surrounded by Mrs. Francis Folsom Welch, Mrs. Cleveland's aunt; ex- 
Mayor Bleeker Banks, of Albany, and Private Secretary and Mrs. Lamont, 
awaited them. The Secretary of State presented the Queen and party to the 
President and Mrs. Cleveland. 

At two o'clock the same day Mrs. Cleveland, accompanied by the Cabinet 
ladies, Mrs. Fairchilds, Mrs. Endicott, Mrs. Vilas, Mrs. Whitney, and Mrs. 
Warren, of Boston, representing her father, the Secretary of State, and her 
sisters the Misses Nannie and Florence Bayard, attended by Col. John M. Wil- 
son, made the return call of ceremony. This was the first instance in the 
ceremonial etiquette of the Executive Mansion in which the wife represented 
the President in making a return call of ceremony upon a visiting member of 
a royal family. 

The same evening a diplomatic reception was held at the legation of Hawaii, 
Minister Carter, Mrs. Carter, and Miss Carter presiding. 

The next day was passed in visiting places of interest in and around the 
capital. 

The following day was spent in visiting Mount Vernon, on the United 
States steamer Dispatch, Commander Cowles commanding and Lieutenant 
Eldredge executive officer. As the party entered the navy yard a detachment 
of marines, under Captain Percival C. Pope, with the Marine band, gave them 
a passing salute. At the vessel's dock they were greeted by Captain Wallace 
and the officers of the yard, and a royal salute of twenty-one guns. As the 
steamer passed the United States steamer Galena, the yards were manned, 
and the band discoursed the national airs of the two countries from the quar- 
ter-deck, where the officers were assembled. At Mount Vernon the queen 
was escorted by Senator Sherman and the princess by Senator Evarts. A 
number of distinguished officials and their ladies and army and navy officers 
were among the guests of the occasion. 



SO.MK NOTABLE SOCIAL KVF.NTS. 223 

At 715, p. m., May 6, the queen aiul suite arrived at the executive man- 
sion, as the guests of the President and Mrs. Cleveland, at a state banquet 
in honor of Her Majesty. After removing their wrappings, they were 
usliered into the east room, where the President and Mrs, Cleveland received ^ 
them. As the guests arrived, they were presented. At a quarter before eight 
the President and ller Majesty ltd the way to tlie dining-hall, the Marine 
Band playing the President's polonais. 

Tlie tables were elal)orately decorated with flowers, ilic center pieces on the 
plateau representing two floral ships, "Columbia," and " Hawaii," and the 
colors of the two countries in banks of flowers. 

The guests were Her Majesty, Queen Kapiolani, Her Royal Higliness 
Princess I.iliuokalani, Lieutenant General l)ominis, His Excellency Hon. C. 
P. laukea Col. J. H. Boyd, the Hiwaiian Minister, Mrs. Carter and Miss 
Carter, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Fair- 
child, the Secretary of War and Mrs. Endicott, the Secretary of the Navy and 
Mrs. Whitney, the Postmaster General and Mrs. ^'ilas, Senator and Mrs. 
Sherman, the Chief Justice and Mrs. Waite, the Lieutenant General and Mrs. 
Sheridan, the Admiral and Miss Porter, the Haytien Minister Mr. Preston, 
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, ex-Speaker and Mrs. Robert C. Winfhrop, 
of Massachusetts, Mr. George Bancroft and Miss Bancroft, Mrs. Ijncklaen, 
mother of Mrs. Fairchild, and Mrs. Macalester Laughton. 

Ti\e toilettes of the ladies were in excellent taste. Mrs. Cleveland wore 
her wedding dress of white satin, trimmed with ostrich tips. The Queen wore 
a flowing robe of cream-colorfd gros-grain silk, embroidered in vines, roses, 
dahli.is, and feathers of native birds in natural colors. The front of the 
dress was crossed by a broad royal scarf of scarlet. The Princess Royal, 
Liiiuokalani, wore a dress of black silk, with back and train of black velvet, 
and at the waist a sash of broad ribbon; Mrs. Carter, yellow satin, with 
flounces of oriental lace; Miss Carter, white embroidered mull, with sash of 
white moire ribbon ; Mrs. Vilas, dress of pale pink satin, with train, low 
bodice, and front panel of lace hung with amber droplets; Miss Porter, low 
bodice, front and side of dress of wliite satin, and full gathered back of tulle 
white, the front drajied with full drapery of gold gauze; Miss Endicott, yellow 
satin, with j)etlicoat of dotted tulle and edgings of maroon velvet; Mrs. Fair- 
child, toilet of white tulle, trimmed with white satin ril)bon and Venetian l.ace; 
Mrs. Lincklaen, mcurning black, with cap of white mull; Miss Susanne Ban- 
croft, trained dress of j)ink heliotrope moire, garnished with laces and gems ; 
Mrs. Winthrop, heavy toilet of black satin, train laid in heavy pleats, and 
front in cherry satin, cap of white net; Mrs. Waite, dress of nut-brown satin 
shawl of black lace, and cap of old point; Mrs. Sheridan, sea-shell jiiiik satin. 



224 SOCIETY 1\ WASHINGTON. 

with insertions of ribbon and lace; Mrs. Laughton, satin in white and green 
stripes, with full train, low bodice and profusion of rare old lace; Mrs. 
Sherman, stone-colored silk, faced with pale pink silk, and garnished with 
jewels and lace; Mrs. Whitney, evening dress of pale pearl color, shot with 
gleams of gold and pink, and made with many graceful draperies. 

The royal party left Washington for Boston the next day. 

The Cabinet entertainments were principally the drawing-rooms of llie ladies 
of the Cabinet. Secretary and Mrs. Whitney filled the most prominent place 
in the gayeties of the Cabinet circle. Their receptions, dinner parties, and 
social occasions for charitable purposes or tlie enjoyment and diversion of their 
friends were among the events of the season. Secretary Endicott and Post- 
master General Vilas held evening receptions. The Secretary of State, being 
in mourning, and Secretary of tlie Treasury, on account of ill health, took no 
part in the social enjoyments. 

The historic cruciform edifice in the vicinity of the Executive Mansion, the 
Protestant Episcopal church of St. John, where for nearly three quarters of a 
century Presidents and premiers and notable men and women have united in 
the offices of religion, on the afternoon of April ii, 1887, was the scene of a 
distinguished assemblage in the highest walks of official and unofficial life, to 
witness the christening of Dorothy Payne Whitney, infant daughter of the 
Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Whitney. 

The interior of the church in the vicinity of the altar was richly decorated 
with choice flowers. The ornaments were decked with lilies, pink and white 
tulips, and roses. The lectern had a cross of red tulips upon it, and the bap- 
tismal font was a mass of white annunciation lilies, surmounted by a white 
dove. 

As the arriving guests were being seated by Surgeon r>Ielancthon Ruth, U. 
S. Navy; Lieutenant M. Rucker Jenish, of tlie Uhlans of the Cierman army, 
attache of the German Legation; Seiior Don Francisco Gordon Du Bosc, 
third secretary of the Spanish Legation; Mr. M. V. R. Berry, and William 
C. Endicott, Jr., son of the Secretary of War, tlie organist, F. E. Camp, ren- 
dered an oratorio. 

The ceremonies began witli the entrance of the clioir of eiglit men and six- 
teen boys, under the direction of Mr. W. IL Daniel, jirecentor, singing a 
processional carol, and assisted by Miss Agnes Osgood. Rev. William A. 
Leonard, the rector, called for the candidate for baptism to be presented. 
Mrs. Whitney, carrying the child and attended by the Secretary of the Navy, 
who represented Colonel Oliver Payne, Mrs. Whitney's brother, who was in 
Europe, as godfather of the infant; Mrs. de Reuterskiold, wife of the Minister 
fioin Sweden and Norway, who stood as godmother; Miss Bayard, Miss En- 



SOME NOTABLK SOCIAL KVEXT?. 225 

dicott, Mijs Vilas, ami Miss Lamar, the Cabinet }ounij ladles, who stood as 
sponsors; and Miss Pauline Whitney, sister of the infant, Ethel Robeson, 
Mollie Vilas, Klsie Anderson, daughter of Gen. N. L. Anderson, Louselle 
Bonaparte, May Ihuldlestone, the niece of Mrs. Folsom, and May Davis, 
daughter of Judge Jolia l)avis, acting as attendants, and wearing dresses <jf 
white mull ribboned with j>ink silk, advanced to tlie altar. 

After t'ne service, tlie christening parly passed out of tlie chancel door and 
took carriages for the Secretary's residence. 

The church parly followed to the residence of the Secretary, where a recep- 
tion rtas held from half past five until seven o'clock. The rooms were hand- 
somely decorated with pink and white hydrangeas, azaleas, the white stalks 
of pride of the meadow, white hyacinths, and roses. In the ball room the 
presents were displayed, the principal one being a silver pap bowl, plate and 
spoon, gold lined, resting in a pink plush case with a white satin lining. The 
President and Mrs. Cleveland sent a present of a handsome silver platter, 
milk bowl and spoon. The platter and bowl were satin finished, in the centre 
of each of which was engraved "Dorothy." Forming a deep border around 
the edge was in raised figures all manner of qucint designs of children engaged 
in childish sports. In the dining-room, cake, strawberries, creams, ices, and 
chocolate were served and from a silver bowl, the old-time caudal, a drink 
composed of wine and wassail, raisins, oatmeal, was passed to the guests. 

Secretary and Mrs. Whitney were assisted in receiving their guests by Miss 
Maljel Waddell, Miss Susanne Bancroft, Miss Julia Stockton, Miss Mamie 
Heath, Miss Endicolt, Miss Lamar, Miss \'ilas. Miss Schley, Miss Sicard, 
Miss May McCullough, Miss .Stout, Miss Emily Wallach, Miss Odeneal, and 
Miss Phillips. On entering the dressing-room guests were presented with an 
egg-shaped box of bonbons, from flower-wreathed trays borne by the young 
misses who acted as attendants. Seven hundred invitations were issued and 
included the elite of fashionable life. 

The " Mondays " of the ladies of the Supreme Court constituted the princi- 
pal social entertainments of the court circle, .\mong tlie gueits of the Cliief 
Justice were, Mrs. Henry Waite, Mrs. Cheeseborough and Mrs. Tixucker, of 
New Vork. The Chief Justice and Justices filled out tlie round of fashionalilc 
enjoyments with receptions and dinners. 

The " legation ball " has been an event in the social seasons at the national 
capital ever since the inauguration of the first administration. The Brili^h 
Legation which occupies a commodious residence of its own in the most fash- 
ionable quarter of Washington, has been the scene of many of these brilhant 
fetes. The present minister. Sir Lionel Sackville West, made his entr^ diplo- 
matically and socially into the gay life of the Republican capital by giving five 
grand balls his first season. 



226 SOCIETY IN' WASHrNGTON. 

The ball of January 4, 1887, was one of peculiar social interest, being in 
honor of the debut of Sir Lionel's youngest daughter Amalia. The descendant 
of the house of De la Warre, after which Pennsylvania's fluvial outlet to the 
sea received its name, in his simple elegant court dress, with his three charm- 
ing daughters, Victoria, the presiding lady of his household, Flora, and 
Amalia, received the distinguished guests in the salmon parlor or second 
drawing-room, opulent in taste and beauty, with hangings of fawn and pale 
bisque brocade. 

Miss West wore a ball dress of black tulle, the front dotted with jet pendants. 
The low corsage was of black satin, with a broad bertha and cap sleeves of 
jet, from which pendants fell upon the arms. Miss Flora West and her sister, 
Amalia, the dubutante, wore ball dresses of cream white satin, covered with 
tulle, the fronts dotted with pendants of crystal beads. The decolletfe corsages 
were of cream white satin, with trimmings of crystal beads bordering the 
neck and falling on the arm. The debutante carried flowers. 

The earlier part of the evening, from ten to midnight, the hour of supper, 
was devoted to etiquette and convers-ation among the older, and dancing among 
the younger guests. After the supper, which was lavish in appointments and 
menu, the formal dancing began with a cotillion led by Mr. Du Bosc, of the 
Spanish Legation, and Miss West; Mr. Janisch, of the German Legation, 
and Miss Flora West; Mr. Edwardes, secretary of the legation, and Miss 
Amelia West. 

There were five figures, the Japanese umbrella, the fan, the red and blue 
aprons, the gild battledoors and shuttlecocks, and the last, the plush monkeys 
and butterfly hairpins being used by the dancers. 

The guests numbered five hundred of the most distinguished latlies and 
gentlemen in the circles of oflicial, diplomatic, and fashionable life. The mem- 
bers of the diplomatic corps and their ladies were in full court dress, and pre- 
sented a brilliant gathering. Guests were also present from other cities. The 
toilettes of the ladies were very elegant. 

The Legation of the Mother of Empires in the East was a scene of Oriental 
splendor on the occasion of the annual ball given by the envoy of the Em- 
peror Kwang Su, on the night of January 25. The minister and his suite 
received the distinguished guests in the main parlor. The rigid court dress 
of dark blue satin and somber colors worn on official occasions was discarded, 
and the bright colors of light blue, royal yellow, ( the imperial colors,) delicate 
lilac, and other hues prescribed by the rules of the board of rites and cere- 
monies were worn. The minister also wore the peacock feather, the insignia 
of official nobility, and the precious stone or button of his rank in the imperial 
order of official precedence. The ceremonial gravity of manner was also 



observed, varied, however, by the American shake. In tliis department ol 
social etiquette it is customary for a Chinese official to clasp his own hands 
together cordially, shake them vigorously, bob his head, and incline his body 
courteously. In America, however, they do as Americans do, and give the 
grip with all the customary plebistic familiarity of an American sovereign. 

The invitations included the President and wife, represented by Colonel 
and Mrs. Lamont, it being contrary to all precedents from Washington down 
for the President of the United States to enter the house of a foreign minister; 
the Supreme Court, representeil by the Chief Justice and Associates and theii 
ladies; the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and Foreign Affairs 
of the House; Senators and Representatives who had called, and the personal 
friends of the minister whose acquaintance he desired to recognize. 

The menu of the evening was terrestrial in every sense of the word. The 
Celestial delicacies of bird's nest soup, shark's fins, releves of duck, entres ol 
pickled eggs and entremets of sweets, washed down by the vintages of the 
hills Shantung and Chihli and royal samshu, were discarded for the chefs 
d'oeuvres of the gastronomic art of the western world, the wines of the Rhim 
and the spirits of cognac and Monongahela. 

The Congressional gayeties of the season were mostly confined to the Draw 
ing- Rooms and fashionable "teas" of the ladies of the families of Senator! 
and Representatives. There were also evenirg receptions, which were largely 
attended, and contributed to the round of social enjoyments of the season. 

While the older officers of the field, line, and staff of the army, navy, anc 
marines may be said lo be pleasing reminiscences, recalling the romance anc 
heroism of a soldier's and sailors's career, the younger officers give apractica 
turn to their share in the gay life of the season by holding a series of enter 
tainments under the auspices of the " Army and Navy Assembly and Germai 
Club." The organization represented for the season by Rear Admiral J. II 
Upshur as president, and Brigadier General Roljert Macfeeley, vice president 
was under the direction of an executive committee, composed of Major G. J 
Lydecker, Lieutenant Colonel Stanhoije, E. Blunt, (treasurer,) Major W. E 
Tucker, Jr., and Lieutenant William P. Duvall, on the part of the army 
Major G. C. Goodloe of the marines, and Lieutenant S. C. Lemly, Engineer J 
A. Tobin, Lieutenant A. Marixand Lieutenant L. L. Reamey, (secretary,) oi 
the part of the navy. 

As the membership is limited to one hundred and twenty, and the genera 
invitations to an equal number, each member being allowed to name to thi 
committee for invitation his own lady and her chaperone, keeps the iireseno 
on each occasion down to a select assemblage of the very best society. Tin 
President, the members of the Cabinet, and Supreme Court of the Unile< 



228 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

States, and the ladies of their families, are the regular guests of the germans 
through the entire season. Some of these high digni aries are present on 
each occasion. President Arthur was particularly foi.d of attending. The 
germans were given once a month during the season, from New Year's to 
Lent. 

The gayeties of the evening began with an assembly, with the ordinary 
round and square dances. The germans began after supper, at 12.30, and 
closed at 2 o'clock, a. m. There were seventy-five couples in each german. 
The first german of the season was led by Dr. C. W. Deane, U. S. N., with 
Miss Lyons; the second by Lieutenant John D. Barrette, U. S. A., without 
a partner; third by Lieutenant L. L. Reamey, U. S. N., with his wife, and 
the fourth by Lieutenant H. R. Lemly, U. S. A., with Mrs. Lieutenant Col- 
onel Blunt. 

The reception given by the members of the Metropolitan Club, on the even- 
ing of April 12, to the ladies in official and unofficial society, was one of the 
most brilliant and enjoyable affairs of the season. It afforded an opportunity 
lo the gentlemen largely in army, navy, and marine circles, and bachelor 
members of the club in polite society, to reciprocate social attentions which 
they had received. It also gave the ladies an opportunity to form some idea 
of the inside of a well managed club house. 

The entire building was thrown open to the great throng of guests. The 
entrance was through halls draped with the national colors, which led to the 
ample cloak and dressing-rooms. Ascending to the first floor, the guests en- 
tered the west parlor, where they were received by Admiral Rogers and Mrs. 
General Sheridan. Mrs. Sheridan wore peachblow satin, the front of the 
skirt draped with fine white lace; the train composedof white illusion, striped 
with bands of pink satin ribbons ; corsage cut low, with short sleeves; neck- 
lace of gold, with diamond pendant; pink ostrich tips in the hair, and carried 
a bouquet of white and pink roses. The United States Marine Band, under 
Director Sousa, rendered an excellent selection of nine pieces for the promen- 
ade. Dancing began about eleven o'clock, for which there were two orches- 
tras provided. There was a programme of twenty-four dances. Supper was 
served at midnight. 

The ladies were in grand toilette, officers in full uniform, and civiHans 
in full dress. The costumes of tlie ladies were particularly rich in material, 
and fashioned in the highest style of the modiste's art. 

The guests, numbering over five hundred, represented every department of 
the Government, and the most prominent society ladies and gentlemen. 

The "house-warming" of the new Jefferson club, on the evening of Febru- 
ary 22, was the occasion of a large and distinguished gathering of gentlemen 



SOME NOTABLE SOCIAL EVENTS. 229 

from official, mercantile, and professional life, of the National capital. The 
spacious buildini^, wliich had heconie historic as the home of the Court of Al- 
abama Clairts, had been rec(jnstructed for club purposes. 

The guests began to arrive shortly after nine o'clock, and from that hour 
until midnight, the club-house was crowded with a gathering of representa- 
tive men. Mr. Stillson Hutchins, the president of the club, received the 
guests. With him was the board of governors. Messrs. M. F. Morris, Enoch 
Totten, W, C. Mclntire, Ilallet Kilbourn, A. A. Wilson, A. T. Britten, F. 
A. Richardson, George B. Williams, Lawrence Gardner, Eppa Hunton, E. B. 
Youmans, and John G. Moore. As the evening advanced, a supper was 
servetl in one of the upper vestibules. 

The remodeled historic mansion in which Dolly P. Madison, the widow of 
the fourth President of the United States, held court for many years after the 
demise of her husl)and, in 1836, on the evening of January 5, was the scene 
of a large and brilliant assemblage of statesmen, diplomats, warriors, scien- 
tists, literateurs, artists, politicians, and f ishionables and their ladies, on the 
occasion of the "house warming" of The Cosmos Club. The guests were 
introduced by Col. Archibald Hopkins to Dr. J. S. Billings, who presented 
them to the reception committee, consisting of Mrs. Billings, Mrs. J. W. 
Powell, and Mrs. Garrick Mallery. Mrs. Billings, was attired in a rich black 
velvet costume, with diamond ornaments. Mrs. Powell wore white embroid- 
ered china crepe, and ornaments of turquoise and diamonds. Mrs. Mallery's 
dress was a wine colored velvet, trimmed with duchess lace, and wore a neck- 
lace of diamonds and diamond earrings. All the ladies were in evening dress. 
An orchestra discoursed the latest musical gems. The refreshment tables 
were spread conveniently to the reception room and the salons, and during 
the evening there was dancing. 

Among the fashionable afternoon diversions of the genial days of the open- 
ing spring, were the "Paper Hunts," which afforded equestrians and eques- 
triennes an opportunity to compete in horsemanship. On one of the la t 
days of April Miss Alice Maury, Mr. Goode, and Mr. Robert Wallach, took 
ten minutes' start to lay a trail, and Mr. Alexander Greger, of the Russian 
legation, as master of the hounds, followed with his riders. The finish was 
arranged for in one of Secretary Whitney's fine fields. The carriages, the 
drosky, the drag, the carts and village wagonettes were drawn up in a line, 
and two hurdles of cedar twined into fences, the judge's table, and a finishing 
post completed the outfit. The field nearer the club was flagged and a bugler 
blew a blast that brought the hunters in. The first prize man was Mr. de 
Jenisch, of the (jerman legation, a very fine cross-country rider. Mr. Fran- 
cisco Becarra, of the Colombian legation, Mi>s Heath, Mr. Ad<lis(>n, Mrs. 



230 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Violet Helyar, Mr, Dana, Miss Alice Morgan, Mrs. Carrie Wright, Miss May 
McCulloch, received prizes. Also Mrs. Lehmann, Miss Cameron, Mrs. Dr. 
Dickson, Mr. Lehmann, Dr. Dickson, Secretary Whitney, Secretary Fair- 
child, Mr. Gresham, Mr. Niedgood, Mr. Emmons, Mr. A. B. Legare, Mr. 
Legare, Colonel Ludlow, Mr. Adams, Mr. Chilton, Mr. Ford, Mr. Leiter, 
Mr. Horace Washington, Mr. Dulaney, Mr. Neville, Mr. Whiting, Mr. 
Noble, Mr. Radford, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Snyder, Mr. 
duBosc, Major Powell, Mr. Todd, Mr. Tillinghast, and Mr. Wallace. Gen- 
eral N. L. Anderson and Mr. George Hellen were the judges. 

Mrs. Whitney was "at home" at "Grasslands." Tea and cakes were 
laid in the dining-room. In front of the house, upon the lawn, were spread 
tables, with egg and tongue sandwiches and wines. 

The riding was excellent, none of the horses refusing to take the leaps. 
The horsemanship was so fine as to bring out demonstrations of great enthu- 
siasm, Mrs, Cleveland, who was present, enjoyed the sport. 

A notable event of the race was the loss of the ladies' prize by the Brifish 
legation. Miss Heath "took the cup" for the first time from Mrs. Helyar, 
The broken record was much deplored by the Britons, as it was her last ride. 



THE KIRMES. 23I 



CHAPTKR X\X[. 

Thk Kirmes. 

The elite uf fashionahle lifk at the capital witness the dance of 
nations — three hundred dancers in custume — a (.orgeous spec- 
TACLE. 

JTJC' ERMESSE, kctk (dutch) churcli, messe, (French,) mass, originally ap- 
V r\ plied to a church festival, or out-door fete in Belgium, northern France, 
(!L.^ and Holland. The priests or pastors had charge, and while contrib- 
uting to the enjoyment of their flocks, realized a revenue for the church. In 
the United States it has the combined features of an indoor festival and fair. 

The great social event of the season was the three nigh's, January 24-26 of 
the Kirmes, given at the National Theater, under the auspices of the ladies of 
the National Homeopathic Hospital, and for its benefit. For weeks, upwards 
of three hundred young ladies and gentlemen were under the instruction of 
Professor Carl Marwig, of New York, in anticipation of the event. The stage 
having been extended over the main floor of the auditorium, the spectators 
occupied the private boxes, orchcs ra circle, balconies, and galleries. In 
the audience were all the liigher officers of State, the President and members 
of his household, members of the Cabinet, and tlie Diplomatic corps. Sena- 
tors, the Supreme Court, Representatives, officers of the army, navy, and 
marine corps, officials, and others in social life with their ladies. The gentle- 
men in full dress, and the ladies in grand toilette, presented a brilliant scene. 

The first blasts of the Third Artillery Band was the signal that the enter- 
tainment of the evening was about to begin. As the curtain lifted it revealed 
to view an ampitheater in which were arranged in grand tableau, the three 
hundred dancers appropriately grouped. The brilliancy of the scene called 
forth raptures of applause. In a moment the dancers moved out with milita- 
ry precision, and striking effect, m a grand march. The dancers having re- 
seated themselves from the group, twenty-four Holland peasants marched 
down llie stage abreast, and breaking into the figure of the HoUantlaise dance 
Itegaii the p.-ogramme. 

The toilettes of two of the leading young ladies consisted if white cassi- 
mere skirts, trimmed with black velvet bands at the foot, and cut eleven inches 
from the ground. The black velvet bodices were cut low and square in front, 
and liigh in the back, with white muslin kerchiefs gathered closely about the 
throat. The sleeves were cut short, displaying white lace sleeves beneath, 
worn long and fastened about the wrists with gold bands. The head-dress 
consisted of a jaunty white plush and gold cap. Black stockings and black 



232 SOCIETY IN' WASHINGTON. 

dancing slippers with high lieels, and .arge silver buckles completed the 
toilet. The sleeves of the two young ladies who took tlie gentlemen's i)art in 
tlie lead, wei e cut open and laced loosely 6ver the lace sleeves beneath. They 
wore black and gold lace caps. 

The skirts of the dancers, instead of being plain white, were yellow, red, 
pink, and blue, the colors being alternated as much as possible. 

The dancers were Bertha D. Lincoln, Mrs. Dr. II. ^I. Schooley, Misses 
Lilian Cook, Eloise Williams, Ray Elliott, Ilarrie Gray, Sallie Barber, Viola 
Kingsley, Sallie Newton, Nellie Merrick, and F.dith Cross, Mrs. Addison 
Getchell, Misses Lilian Jones, Lena Stearns, Alice Nokes, Bertie Adams, 
Bessie Johnson, Rena Maloney, Mary Springer, and Annie Peachy, Mrs. H. 
A. Sykes, Mrs. T. B. Corbel, Mrs. J. Rowland, Mrs, E. F. Kimball. 

Atthecloseofthe HoIIandaise dance. Miss Lincoln, on behalf of the dancers, 
presented Prof. Marwig with a handsome scarf pin, as a token of their appre- 
ciation of his services as their instructor. 

This faithful reproduction of the National figure and step of the inhabitants 
cf llie low countries, was under the pitronage of Mrs. John G. Carlisle, wife 
of t'.e Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Frances Colton, Mrs. 
Dr. Stearns, Mrs. Isaac H. Maynard, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury, Mrs. John J. Edson, Mrs. R. C. Getchell, Mrs. General William 
Birney, Mrs. Barton G. Jones, Mrs. Gurdon H. Wilcox, one of the most ac- 
tive members of the executive committee, and Mrs. J. M. Flint, wife of Dr. 
Flint, U. S. N. 

Thirty-two Neapolitan dancers next appeared. The peasant girls wore 
cream-colored skirts of cassimere, or nun's veiling, striped in satin, with the 
Roman colors — blue, yellow, black, pink, rnd Nile green. Bloure waists 
with puffed sleeves, caught up with bands of vari-co'.ored ribbon, and broad 
crimson satin sailor collars. A broad crimson satin sash, loosely knotted, en- 
circled the waist. The turban was made of crimson silk handkerchiefs. The 
flesh-colored hose were crossed and re-crossed with narrow silk ribbons of 
the prevalent Roman colors. Fishing nets were thrown over the right 
shoulder and brought back under the left arm. The tambourines were de- 
corated with the broad red cross of Naples and Roman ribbons. 

The peasant boys wore dark trousers rolled up above the knees, displaying 
light colored lining; blue and white flannel shirts of various patterns: tur- 
bans, flesh-colored stockings, and dancing pumps, and carried tambourines 
and fishing ret;. 

The ladies were Miss Kitty Martin, May E. Freeman, Blanche Mattingly, 
Florence P. Oliver, Leila Stacey, 'Henrietta .Seawell, Lizzie II. Fletcher, Clara 
Stewart, Effie Bennett, Minnie Williamson, Anna C. Ilavenner, Stella Cason, 
Anita Ilendrie, Georgie Williams, Marie Verger, and Mrs. H. L. Berlin. 



THE KIRMES. 233 

The gentlemen were G. Frank Erdman, Lewis M. Heron, Henry S. Sei- 
dell, William Quinby, S. Edgar Darhy, William C. Lewis, Ralph B. Schwick- 
anli, Harry L. Dunwoody, William E. Ilorton, Harry Parsons, James T. 
Gibbs, Edward Williams, W. Frank Clark, Gales Moore, jr., Edward C. Robin- 
son, and John N. Oliver, Jr. 

The lady patrons of this dance were Mrs. Representative R. S. Stevens, 
of New York, Mrs. ex-Commissioner W. W. Dudley, of Indiana, Mrs. F. 
C. Stevens, and Mrs. Representative E. John Ellis, of Louisiana. 

From the gay colors and flaunting ribbons of the Neapolitans, the scene 
changed to the many colors of the forty-six members of the Flower dance. 
The costumes were in imitation of the flowers they were intended to repre- 
sent. The young ladies who formed a beautiful bouquet of roses, wore pink 
tarletan skirts, with green satin trimmings, and bodices to match, and carried 
bunches of pink roses in their hands, and wreathes of roses on their heads. 

The " roses " were : Maud Youngs, Bertha Bartlett, May Compton, Lot- 
tie Cotton, Zulime ^^■hitney, Daisy Williams, Eliza Peachy, Fannie Mahon. 

Eight blushing "poppies" wore red tarletan skirts, with green satin bod- 
ices, and carried poppies in their hands, and wreathes of the same flower on 
their heads. The "pojipics" were: Florence Mortimor, Louise Collins, 
Ethel GrafTan, Gertrude Harvey, Lillie Washburne, Mable Towner, Flora 
Lewis, Lillie Sherman. 

Eight young ladies impersonating violets, were attired in purple tarletan 
skirts, with satin bodices of the same color. They carried that flower and 
garlands were entwined around their heads. The " violets " were : Marion 
Worthington, Luree Dyer, Mamie Gillam, Bertie Wallace, Bessie Smith, 
Jennie Peachy, Mary Wolf, Sadie Wallace. 

There were eight daisies who wore yellow tarletan dresses with petals repre- 
sented by long points of white do>vn the sides, and green satin bodices. The 
"daisies" were Eua Rogers, Mattie Gibson, Bertha Gibson, Emily Sher- 
wood, Minnie Hutchinson, Irene Cowman, Pearl Houston, Jennie Tyrer. 

In and out among the flowers flitted a number of bees — little girls dressed 
in yellow satin skirts, black tarletan over-dresses, doited with gilt and silver 
spangles, black satin waists and puffed sleeves, with tiny rows of yellow rib- 
bon around them. Wings of black spangled gauze were fastened to their 
shoulders, while their black hose were crossed with narrow yellow ribbons. 
The "bees" Mere Lizzie Carver, Irma Ruess, Mamie Erdman, Mazie Burn- 
ham, Lizzie Widdecombe, Daisy Sykes, Hnttie Borland, Maud Gorham, Ber- 
tha Prentiss, Louise Powell, Louise Widdecombe, Nellie Tally, Gertie Brillain. 
This dance was under the auspices of Mrs. General H. G Gilison, wife of 
the commander of the garrison of Washington, Mrs. Colonel Robert G. Ruth- 
erford, Mrs. Dr. P. F. Harvey, U. S. N., Mrs. General Joseph G. Bartlett, 



234 SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON. 

Mrs. Captain George B. Haycock, U. S. marines, Mrs. Lieutenant J. D. C. 
Hoskins, Mrs. Sedgwick Pratt, Mrs. Lieutenant Constantine Chase, and Mrs. 
R, W. Tyler. 

The twenty-four Spanish dancers next moved upon tlie stage with castanets 
and tambourines, and in gay attire and graceful evolutions. The leader of 
the dance, Miss Rosalie Lloyd Bradford, wore a skirt of light blue plush, 
handpainted in gold and flowers; zouave jacket in black velvet, embroidered, 
pink, blue, gold, and amber beads ; diamonds, amethyst and gold necklace; 
black satin slippers; black gauze fan, in gold and colors; Spanish lace man- 
tilla and dress draped with lace. 

The costumes conformed to the general features of the leaders, differing 
only in variety of colors. The other dancers were Misses Emma Washburn, 
Sophie Verdi, Miss Richards, Jeanie Van Zandt, Daisy Shankland, Jessie 
Owen, Bessie Volk, Flora Eaby, of Lancaster, Pa., Dora Stearns, Eva A. 
Houston, Elsie Hughes, Minnie Clinton, May Wilson, Miss Sullivan, Minnie 
Chichester, Helen P. Hill, Elma Gaines, Mis3 Clinton, Edith Blair, and Natalie 
Jordan, Mrs. Lieutenant Gilmore, and Misses Mary Van Zandt and Kate Riggs. 

The ladies in charge of this dance were Mrs. Thomas Riggs, Mrs. J. J. 
Washburn, Mrs. E. B. Youmans, Mrs. Representative Markham, Mrs. Fred 
A. Starring, Mrs. Senator Sabin, Mrs. E. H. Congor, of Iowa, Mrs. R. J. 
Sauzade and Mrs. Representative Seymour, of Connecticut. 

The minuet, the stately court dance of the French Empire of the last cen- 
tury, was rich in costume and admirable in execution. Its jjreparation was 
under the patronage of Mrs. Senator Dolph, of Oregon, Mrs. Edward Hal- 
liday, and Mrs. S. D. Pinson. 

The toilettes of the ladies, who numbered twelve, were designed after the 
representations of the court dresses of the days of the Louis, some of them 
being historic. 

Miss Waite, the daughter of the Chief Justice cf the United States, 
who led the minuet, wore a costume of white satin, with pink front, em- 
broidered in bright colors, princess train. Miss Louisiana Durant woreapink, 
quilted satin petticoat and Watteau trained overdress of white satin, brocaded 
with pink flowers and trimmed with point lace; ornaments, medallions. This 
dress and medaUions were worn by Miss Durjint's great-great-grandmother at 
the Danish court. Miss Sarah Jewett wore a white satin petticoat, embroid- 
ered in gold, pale green satin trr.in and bodice of the same color; diamond 
ornaments were worn in the hair and about the throat. Miss Nannie Kelly, 
daughter of ex-Senator Kelly, of Oregon, wore a primrose silk court train 
and satin petticoat of the same shade elaborately embroidered in gold and 
trimmed with gold-spangled gauze, high powdered hair, decorated with prim- 
rose plumes, pearl ornaments, with an antique amethyst medallion, a family 



THE KIRMF.S. 235 

heir-loom. Miss Grace Stevens, of New York, liad on a magnificent costume 
of white silk, train, with petticoat covered with flounces of rare French lace, 
which has been in her family for 250 years. The wliole costume was modeled 
after the French court style. Hair and corsage were dressed with pink feath- 
ers, diamond ornaments. Miss Evangeline Munson's costume was of the 
Louis XIV period, with pink quilted satin petticoat and Nile green Watteau 
train ; hair dressed high in puffs, powderel and ornamented with a pink aig- 
rette of feathers ; pink feather fan, diamond ornaments. Miss Isabtd Taylor 
wore a white silk flowered petticoat, with Marie Louise blue court train and 
corsage, cut square and trimmed with duchess lace ; ornaments, pearls, and 
diamonds. Miss Ines Springer had on a cream faille Franfaise court train, 
with pink brocaded front ; hair dressed a la Pompadour, pink aigrettes ; pearl 
ornaments. Miss Lawton wore a pink silk robe, brocaded in white roses, the 
dress, excepting some slight alterations, was worn by her mother, daughter of 
Horatio King, when invited by President Buchanan and Miss Lane to meet 
the Prince of Wales; jewelry, strung pearls. Miss Stella Evans, of Tennes- 
see, was costumed in a sixteenth century light blue plush dress, with court 
train and diamond ornaments. 

The costumes of the gentlemen were h\ keeping with the elegant court toil- 
ets of the ladies, partaking of the Livish style of the courtiers of the royal 
salons of Versailles and the Tuilleries. William Acklen, of Tennessee, who 
was Miss Waite's partner, wore a cherry-colored satin costume, trimmed with 
, old gold satin, the vest embroidered in violet, gold, and red, with knee 
* breeches, and ilesh colored stockings, red heeled pumps, and diamond 
buckles, hair powdered. The costumes of the remaining gentlemen were of 
the same general style, but differed in color, so as to give variety. The other 
gentlemen were Richard C. Poultney, of Baltimore, in gray silver brocaded 
court costume. Edgar F. Hubbell, a canary coat, with gold lace, blue vest. 
Dr. F. Pierre Hoover, blue satin coat. George E. Earlie, black satin coat, 
and knee-breeches, with crimson vest, embroidered in gold, white wig. 
Fred. F. Church, in blue satm coat. S. C. Elliott, black velvet coat, with 
silver lacings, old gold satin vest. William Haywood, coat of gendarme blue 
satin, embroidered with gold. Frederick D. Owen, coat of old gold satin, 
with embroideries of light blue, and ruffles of old lace, knee-breeches of the 
same color, waistcoat of light blue satin, heavily embroidere.l with gold lace. 
George Frank Erdman, while silk plush suit, embroidered in gold buttons, 
■ vest of pink corded silk, trimmed with gold, and pink silk hose, low cut shoes 
with diamond buckles. Charles S. Wilson, gendarme blue satin, with silver, 
old gold waistcoat and trousers, and white silk stockings. 

The thirty-two fair maidens of Normandy, were dressed in pink, and blue 
satin skirts, the former trimmed with blue, and the latter with red ribbons. 



236 SOCIKTY IX WASHINGTON. 

The black bodices were poinled in the front and back, willi wliite muUc ker- 
cliiefs and sleeves, and overskirt of elaborately flowered material cut in the old 
Dolly ^'arden style, and dainty white lace apron. The head ilress consisted of 
the high cap of the Norman peasants, decorated with bright blue or red rib- 
bons. Their feet were clad in blick slippers, with high pink heels. The "j 
plain gold crosses common among the peasant classes of Catholic countries, 
were worn suspenc" ed from the throat by velvet bands. 

The evolutions of this spirited dance were well executed by Misses Katie 
Jones, Clara Knight, Louise Grosvenor, Virginia Sherwood, Mary Ilalstead, 
Laura Zeh, Villa Custis, Alma Solomons, Lyle Williams, Mattie Dowd, Nel- 
lie Manly, Edith Read, Gertrude Ried, Lulu Robison, Flora Gibson, Belle 
Gibson, Lillie Mahon, Clara Gaylord, Sallie Newton, Rowena Hutchison, 
Katie Howe, Florence Crogan, Maud Schmidberger, Jennie Dangerfield, 
Tillie Koehler, Ida Thomason, Laura Detweiler, Stella Merrett, Marion 
Lockwood, Maud Boyton, Jennie Gibson and Miss Fletcher. 

The lady patrons of this beautiful dance were Mrs. Senator Warner Miller, 
Mrs. Lewis Clephane, one of tlie most energetic projectors of the whule en- 
tertainment, Mrs. W. \V. Upton, Mrs. I. ]\L Bittenger, Mrs. Charles H. Al- 
len, Mrs. R. J. Fisher, jr. and Mrs. J. H. McGill. 

The realistic features of the dances culminated in the Indian dance, which 
was the largest in numbers, having fifty members. Most of the costumes 
were historical, having been the dress and trappings of noted chiefs and gen- 
uine warriors. The dance was in two figures. The braves led off in a jog- 
ging trot. Then followed the war danci with whooping and brandishing of 
tomahawks, and culminating in tableaus, introducing gleaming knives and 
uplifted battle clubs over prostrate foes. The squaws advancing, joined in the 
dance, singing a weird song. 

The second figure represented a series of picturesque maneuvers, culmin- 
ating in groupings and tableaus of savage life, and closed with a war dance. 
The costumes of the squaws exhibited the contrasts of somber and brightest 
colors. The petticoats were black, with a band of bright crimson at the foot. 
The blankets were swung over the right shoulder and dropped under the left 
arm, displaying the sleeveless high necked white blouses. The sashes were 
knotted loosely at the right side, and were edged with wampum shells and 
other Indi-n ornaments. The hair was brushed back. Black stockings and 
beaded moccasins were also worn. 

The costumes of the braves were perfect in all the gorgeousness of the ^ 
wardrobe of a savage. 

The leader, Herman II. Birney, wore a buckskin coat, with fringed borders 
and sleeves, an elaborately beaded and studded belt over a short skirt of 
frilled buckskin, and leggins of dressed hide, bordered with fringe and metal 



■J UK KIKMF.S. 237 

cones. The lei;gins were adorned witli scaips and lielis. His liead dress 
was l)eaded w ilh long Indian hair, surmounted with tall feathers and a liawk- 
tail crest, whicli was continued down the back, 

'1 he other costumes of tlie braves were equally elaborate and aggregately 
,. presented a finer array of genuine Indian apparel, ornaments, irajjpings, and im- 
plements, than lias ever been witnessed on any similar occasion in this country. 

The fifty-two dancers were Misses Mary Barnard, Carrie Borland, Grace 
Black, Stella Cotton, Virginia Cartwright, Carrie Cotterill, Saidee Drown, 
Elsie McElroy, Addle Gensler, Agnes Hutton, Mary King, Virginia Keech, 
Lulu Minear, May Syplier, Kitty Tliompson, Fanny Wilson, May Wilson, 
Alice Willoughby, Ellen Barry, Frances Woods, Carrie Ch.ambers, Louise 
Massey, La Burtte Shepherd, Ethel Groffin, and Flora and Frank Smalley. 

The braves were Herman H. Birney, Charles Brayman, Dr. E. R. Rush, 
E. R. Todd, John D. Black, H. C. Merrill, Ralph R. Upton, Zuni dress, Dr. 
Charks R. Collins, D. C. Harrison, dress taken from an Indian killed at the 
Custer massacer, Howard Cook, Newton Collamer, costume worn by Red 
Cloud, Charles E. Cook, Clarence Dutton, Navajo costume, William M. El- 
liott, William B. Hardy, represented Black Hawk, C. G. Van Hook, dress of 
a Sioux warrior, R. C. McKinney, costume of a famous Ute chief, Francis M. 
Phillips, T. W. Birney, a Seminole chiefs head-dress, Jay H. Sypher, Harry 
Smith, Richard Towson, dress from the Cusier battle-field, Herbert S. 
Town, head-dress from the tail of one of Custer's horses, and feathers worn 
by a Siouz chief, A. J. Smith, H. D. Wilson, whose head-dress was dug from 
'♦the grave of a medicine man of the Sioux, consisting of twelve horns of the 
Rocky mountain goat. The braves carried tomahawks, some of which had 
seen service, and all were elaborately decorated. 

The ladies to whom was due the success of this intricate and elaborate 
dance, were Mrs. J. C. Black, wife of the Commissioner of Pensions, Mrs. 
Russell Lord, Mrs. J. H. Oberly, and Mrs. Jules Guthridge. 

The Swedish dancers next moved upon the platform wearing blue skirts, 
crossed or striped with bright orange ribbons and trimmed with a garnet 
band at the foot. Low necked bodices cut pointed in front and back, with 
short sleeves, were worn over lace waists siieered at the neck with short 
puffed sleeves. From the right shoulder streamed long ribbons of the national 
colors, orange, blue, and red. The high peasant caps were of black velvet, 
ornamented with a red band, with the hair hanging in two plaits from be- 
, neath them. Ordinary slippers were worn with black stockings; short wands, 
with many streamers of the national colors and tliree large sleigh bells at- 
tached to them, were borne in the hand andsliaken in harmony with the music 
and dance. The leaders wore dainty red pockets on their skirts an<l the other 
dancers black pockets. 



238 SOCIETV IX WASHINGTON. 

The gentlemen wore while shirts with rolling collars and cuffs, lemon-col- 
ored and velvet knee-breeches, with bands of different colored ribbon at the 
knee, blue silk stockings, bright red vests, with a blue sash tied about the 
waist, and blue scarf cravats, and felt hats trimmed with ribbons. The six- 
teen lady and equal number of gentlemen dancers were Bertha D. Lincoln, 
Anita Hendrie, Annie Meacham, Maud Moore, Nellie Teele, Annie Major, 
Nina Gunion, Alice Clark, Annie Case, Edith Ileaton, Anna Ileaton, Myra 
Whitney, Richaid K. Tyler, Judson A. Lamon, Leonard Bradley, James II. 
Shafifir, Norman Fleming, Clarence Doyle, Frank P. Reeside, A. C. Mc- 
Nulty, H. S Reeside, \Vm, N. Dudley, S. Taylor Grimes, Wm, C. Prentice. 

The chairman and aids of the Swedish dance, were Mrs. Representative 
Poindexter Dunn, Mrs. Dr. George II. Heron, Mrs. Senator Kenna, of West 
Virginia, Mrs. S. Taylor Suit, Mrs. Commissioner W. A. J. Sparks, of Illi- 
nois, Mrs. S. K. Hannegan, Mrs. J. S. Miller, wife of the Commissioner of 
the Internal Revenue, Mrs. Senator A. P. Williams, of California. 

The Gypsy dance closed the Kirmes list. The bright costumes, waving 
tambourines, covered with streamers of vari-colored ribbons, and the light, 
active step, combined in making the finale the very poetry of motion and colors. 

The leader of the forty dancers. Miss Mary Butterworth, was elegantly 
attired in a full skirt of yellow satin, draped in red and gold tinsel, a tunic 
of red velvet, and yellow satin, with bullion fringe, a bodice of red velvet, 
with zouave jacket of red and gold, with short sleeves — the wliole surmounted 
by a jaunty cap of gold. Miss Janet Richards wore a striking costume, the 
skirt of red and blue satin, trimmed with stars and crescents of gold, bodice of^ 
blue satin trimmed with gold coins, zouave jacket of black velvet, covered 
with sequins and gold lace, Roman cap trimmed with coins — the whole cos- 
tume draped with numerous chains. 

The toilets of the other ladies followed this gereral design. They were 
Miss Pearl Foster, of Alabama, Alice Ilenning, Lucy Li'.ley, Pauline Wright, 
of Nashville, Tennessee, Isabel Elliot, Leila Twigg, of Georgia, Leila Her- 
bert, of Alabama, Sophie Lee Jackson, of Montgomery, Alabama, Lize 
Thompson, of Columbia, South Carolina, May Smith, Ada Bond, Rhoda 
Christmas, Toinette Ford, Claude Money, of Mississippi, Rosa Cotterille, 
Nellie Peck, of Connecticut, Grace Bean, daughter of the Delegate from Ari- 
zona, Corinne McFarland. 

Hiram E. Mitchell, son of Senator Mitchell, who led the gentlemen, wore 
b!ack velvet knickerbockers, trimmed with gold lace, and sequins, and a 
zouave jacket covered with steel chains, like armor, with pendants. His red 
silk stockings were laced witli yellow and green ribbons. The shirt was of red 
and white striped silk, with a wide collar and wide cuffs, turned back. 
Large bow of yellow silk for neck-tie. Fleming J. Lavender, the second 



THK KIRMF.S. 239 

leader whose partner was Miss Money, was i>i green velvel, heavily embroid- 
ered in gold, with red trimming, sash of red .silk, and stockings of red, with 
green gold and black ribbons ; green hat, ornamented with corns andbrdliants. 
Theconumesof the other gentlemen conformed to this general style. 
The dancers were Edward W. Doan, W. H. Welsh, jr., George P. Money, 
Charles Lavender, John M. Thompson, of South Carolina, Richard II. Gorgas, 
of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, JohnC. Tugh, of Alabama, Keith Forest, Z. M. Knott, 
T \V Coleman, Joseph II. Welsh, J. M. Gary, of Alabama, McConnell 
Shelley A. W. Martin, Frank E.Clements, H. R. Lamb, and Malcom Henry. 
This dance was under the supervision of Mrs. A. W. Cochran, daughter of 
Senator Pu-h, Mrs. Postmaster General Vilas, Mrs. John H. Whi.e, Mrs. 
Representative Butterworlh, of Ohio, Mrs. Senator Pugh, of Alabama, Mrs. 
Representative Martin, cf Alabama, Mrs. Dr. Pope, Mrs. 11. II. SmUh, wife 
of the Journal Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

At the close of the regular dances the remainder of the evening was en- 
livened by general dancing, the dresses producing a picturesque and gro- 
tesque effect. The dance of all nations became a babel of costumes, Indian 
braves dancing with dames of the court of Louis XIV, Holland peasants with 
Neapolitans, flower girls with dusky skinned gypsies, an<l blonde Normans 
with brunette Castillians. 

The excellent arrangements for the supper were under the direction of Mrs. 
James II. McGill, who was assisted by Mrs. R. G. Rutherford, Mrs. General 
Birney. Mrs. Dr. Heron, Mrs. Bartlett, and Mrs. Douglass, Miss Annie 
Pratt Miss Sophie Pratt, Mrs. Thomas Hampson, Mrs. Norman Wiard, Mrs. 
Eenlley Mrs. S. E. Lloyd, ^Irs. R. W. Tyler, Mrs. Dr. Gardiner, Mrs. Rus- 
sell I ord, Mrs. William Richards, Mrs.T. F. Martin, Mrs. A.F. Ch.lds, Mrs. 
N B Walker, Mrs. A. H. Bennett, Miss Margaret Oliver, Miss Gussie 
SnoufTer, Miss Louisiana Grigsby,and Miss Rose Poesche, Mrs Frank Heat- 
on, Mrs. C. B. Reed, Mrs. W. F. Warner, and Mrs. William Shuster.jr. 

The tables in the dining-room were in charge of Mrs. W. I. Sherwood, 
Mrs Clark, Mrs. Norman Wiard, Mrs. Dr. Heron, Mrs. Robert Niles, Mrs. 
Kemble, Mrs. A. H. Walker, Mrs. A. B. Johnson, Mrs. S. E. Lloyd, Mrs. 
I M. Bittenger, Mrs. William Hornaday, Mrs. A. H. Martin, Mrs. C. A. 
Snow, Mrs. Russell Lord. Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Tousey, Mrs. Paymaster Al- 
len, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Benlley, Mrs. Scolt Smith, Mrs. Beach Taylor, Miss 
Carrie Randolph, and Mrs. William Richards. 

The young ladies who wailed on the tables were Mi.-,s Cecelia Culber, Miss 
Lola Campbell, Miss Cox, Miss Ida Reuss, Miss Lucia Hugle, Miss Ilatlie 
Sloit, Miss Ingraham, Miss Getchell, Miss Lockwood, Miss Luse, Miss 
Wilson Miss Church, Miss Bessie Rutherford, Miss A.lelaide Pratt, Miss 
Sophie'Pratt, MisS Annie Pratt, Miss May Merrill, Miss Sallie Huston, 



240 SUCIKTY ]N' WASHIXCTON. 

Miss Nellie Walker, Miss Beaudolph, Miss Beach, Mis, II. Thompson, Miss 
Orms, Miss Duell, Miss Bessie McGowan, Miss Genevieve Pleming, Miss 
Isaacs, Miss Lula Bryan, Miss Campbell, Miss Schelley, Miss Beragh, and 
Miss Heilprin, The lemonade well was waited upon by Misses Canfield, 
Goddard, Porte, McWilliams, Scovill and Morgan. 

The ladies at tlie flower booth were Misses Carrie and Alice Jenkins, 
daughters of Admiral Jenkins, and Misses Annie and Jennie Day, of War- 
renton, Va. 

The stage direction was under Mrs. Charles NordhofT, Mrs. Dr. Pope, and 
St. Julian Filette. 

The ladies of the executive committee cf nine, to whom the entire social 
world of the capital was under obligation for the largest and finest enter- 
tainment of a public character ever witnessed in Washington, were Mrs. 
Charles Nordhoff, Mrs. S. C. Martin, Mrs. William Birney, ]Mrs. Lewis Cle- 
phane, Mrs. G. H. Wilcox, Mrs. Dr. Pope, Mrs. R. G. Rutherford, Mrs. A. 
F. Childs, and Mrs. Isabella M. Bittinger. These ladies had general control 
of the affair, but were aided by many members of the aid association, inclu- 
ding the following: 

Mrs. A. S. Pratt, Mrs. F. M. Heaton, Mrs. J. J. Edson, Mrs. M. A. 
Gancy, Mrs. Dr. George II. Heron, Mrs. S. F. Davis, Mrs. R. G. Fisher, 
Mrs. R. W. Tyler, Mrs. W. J. Vanderlip, Mrs. Dr. S. S. Stearns, Mrs. J. S. 
Eolway, Mrs. Dr. C. P. Culver, Mrs. Thomas Hampson, Mrs. James II. 
McGill, Mrs. Wm. Tindall, ]\Irs, T. II. Martin, Mrs. Sara Spencer, Mrs. 
William Richards, Miss Janet Richards, Miss Tenie Somerville, Mrs. C. H. 
Bartlett. Mrs. A. A. Birney, Mrs. Job Barnard, Mrs. George Beale, Mrs. J. 
O. Clephane, Mrs. F. B. Conger, Mrs. FI. S. Cummings, Mrs. Frances 
Coulton, Mrs. Crowinshield, Mrs. William A. Day, Mrs. Senator Dawes, 
Mrs. Nelson Dingley, jr., Mrs. Sarah Davis, Mrs. E. John Ellis, Mrs. J. V. 
L. Findlay, ^Irs. C. S. Grimer, Mrs. E. S. Hutchinson, Mrs. Helen Kirby, 
Mrs. Gammond Kennedy, Mrs. L. Z. Leiter, Mrs. Senator Palmer, Mrs. 
Charles Reade, Mrs. William Springer, Mrs. Leland Stanford, Mrs. Dr. T. 
S. Verdi, Mrs. Dr. W^adsworth, and Mrs. N. B. Walker. 

Through the efforts of the ladies of the institution, and the enthusiastic coop- 
eration of tlie best society of the capital, the National Homeopathic Hospital 
was relieved from debt, with a good fund for maintenance. 

At the closeof the season the lady managers gave a complimentary costume 
ball and reception to the dancers in the Kirnies, which was a Ijrilliant affair, 
both in its scenic effects and in the distinguished personages assembled. 

T//£ END. 



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Its Distinguished Men and Accomplished 

Women-Established Customs and 

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